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Custom Tailor

💰 Earn $40K-$54K
📚 No Degree Required
⏱️ 6–12 Month Training
📈 -4.5% Job Growth
  • Perfect for those passionate about fashion and personalized style.
  • Transform fabric into custom-fitted garments, enhancing personal expression.
  • Master the art of tailoring with precision and creativity.
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Custom Tailor
What Custom Tailors DoDesign, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
  • Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
  • Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
  • Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
  • Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
  • Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
Custom Tailors Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationNone
Career ProspectsShaky (Decreasing by 1-5%)
Training Time6 months to 1 year
Job Openings5,000 Annually
Median Earnings
$45,390 in California
$40,860 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Being creative or artistic
  • Influencing or leading others
  • Working with my hands
you value
  • Accomplishing things
  • Having freedom
  • Personal relationships
you are skilled in
  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
Go Deeper: Custom Tailors Explained
Custom Tailor
Custom TailorExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
Apprenticeship
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
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What Is the Building & Distribution Industry?
Building & Distribution
Building & DistributionThe primary activities of this group involve constructing, installing, repairing, and maintaining physical infrastructure, producing goods and materials, and transporting people and products from one location to another.
What Are Similar Careers?
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Design and create precise fabric patterns for garments using tools and technology.

💰 $75K Median Salary
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Fashion Designer

Create stylish clothing and accessories, setting trends in the fashion world.

💰 $80K Median Salary
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Upholsterer

Craft and repair upholstery for furniture and vehicles with precision and skill.

💰 $50K Median Salary
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Shoe Machine Operator

Operate machines to craft and finish shoes with precision and care.

💰 $45K Median Salary
📈 -4% Job Growth
Shoe & Leather Worker

Craft, repair, and decorate leather goods using various tools and techniques.

💰 $35K Median Salary
📈 -4% Job Growth
Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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