Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
In Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $49,690 at the median — $23.89 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $47,135 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 56% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $63K or more - a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $57K | +40% | N/A |
| New York | $57K | +40% | 1,400 |
| Maryland | $52K | +27% | 260 |
| Washington | $51K | +25% | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $51K | +24% | 120 |
| Pennsylvania | $49K | +21% | 500 |
| Connecticut | $47K | +16% | 180 |
| Hawaii | $47K | +15% | N/A |
| Nevada | $46K | +13% | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $46K | +12% | 490 |
| Oregon | $46K | +12% | 130 |
| New Jersey | $46K | +11% | 710 |
| California | $45K | +11% | 2,240 |
| New Hampshire | $45K | +10% | N/A |
| Arizona | $45K | +10% | 40 |
Track tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $49,690 a year - that works out to about $23.89 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,640, and experienced tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers can clear $62,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,178/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 60.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary go in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers salary is worth about $47,135 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.