How much does a clothing patternmaker make?
Answer: A typical clothing patternmaker in the United States makes $62,750 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 3,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Clothing patternmaker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,790 | $62,750 | $123,540 | about 3,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $101,230 | about 670 |
| California | $89,010 | about 930 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experienced patternmakers and those with in-demand skills, such as CAD or fit expertise, may earn more. Pay also differs by employer and industry, location, and how complex the work is.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a clothing patternmaker do?
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
What's a typical day like?
They turn a designer’s idea and measurements into computer or paper pattern pieces, labeling each by size and sewing details. They may make a sample garment, check its fit, and adjust the pattern before fabric is cut.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school, then study garment construction and pattern drafting in vocational training or an associate program. Build related experience through supervised job training or an apprenticeship, and learn CAD as well as hand drafting.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and creating.
Did you know?
Patternmakers can use CAD to lay out clothing pieces like a puzzle, helping factories waste less fabric.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-6092.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-6092.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes516092.htm
- www.bls.gov/spotlight/2012/fashion
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY