How much does a fabric cutter make?
Answer: A typical fabric cutter in the United States makes $38,760 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 9,000 people work in this job. Below 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
Fabric cutter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28,650 | $38,760 | $49,420 | about 9,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $43,460 | about 840 |
| Georgia | $39,840 | about 2,000 |
| California | $38,870 | about 750 |
| Texas | $30,160 | about 680 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and skill with more complex machine setups can lead to higher pay. Pay also varies by the employer’s industry and location, and some workplaces add extra pay for night or weekend shifts.
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 fabric cutter do?
Set up, operate, or tend machines that cut textiles.
What's a typical day like?
They read work orders, lay patterns over fabric layers, and use an electric knife or computer-controlled cutter to slice garment or toy pieces. They check the cuts, adjust machine settings, and record what was made.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a high school diploma or GED is common, though some jobs do not require it; beginners can learn on the job, with training ranging from days to about a year. O*NET lists no national certification for this job.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
A fabric cutter can slice through several layers at once, making parts for things as different as hats and stuffed toys.
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/details/51-6062.00
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/51-6062.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/opub/hom/eci/concepts.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/localcert/51-6062.00
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY