Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
In San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn $49,770 at the median — $23.93 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $67K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $45,073 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 101.4% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $67K or more - a $22K 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
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Frequently asked questions
How much do tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $49,770 a year - that works out to about $23.93 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,490, and experienced tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers can clear $67,380. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,396/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 102.6% 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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $45,073 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.