How much does a clothing patternmaker make?
a year · about $30 an hour
A typical clothing patternmaker in the United States makes $62,750 a year, about $30 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Patternmakers can use CAD to lay out clothing pieces like a puzzle, helping factories waste less fabric.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,790 and $123,540How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and creating
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New York ($101,230), lowest in Florida ($33,790).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,900 | about 40 |
| Indiana | $59,400 | about 50 |
| Missouri | $56,490 | about 50 |
Official definition: Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
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