Careers / Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$62,750
United States, 2025
Employment
2,950
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
- O*NET code
- 51-6092.00
- Job zone
- 3
- Experience required
- Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Typical tasks
- Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
- Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
- Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
- Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
- Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
- Mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions.
- Draw outlines of pattern parts by adapting or copying existing patterns, or by drafting new patterns.
- Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$33,790
25th percentile
$42,620
75th percentile
$93,930
90th percentile
$123,540
Most important skills
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.4
- Time Management3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Mathematics3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Writing3.0
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 14 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
14
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Active Listening | 3.4 | 3.4 | Not selected | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
| Writing | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
Supplemental
National median $38,760
Compare with Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersSupplemental
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Compare with Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersSupplemental
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National median $35,650
Compare with Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersSupplemental
National median $41,600
Compare with Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersSupplemental
National median $37,800
Compare with Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersSupplemental
National median $83,910
Compare with Fabric and Apparel PatternmakersHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $101,250 | 630 | 2025 |
| NY | $101,230 | 670 | 2025 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $89,010 | 830 | 2025 |
| CA | $89,010 | 930 | 2025 |
| San Diego, CA | $85,490 | 40 | 2025 |
| PA | $65,900 | 40 | 2025 |
| IN | $59,400 | 50 | 2025 |
| MO | $56,490 | 50 | 2025 |
| OR | $55,740 | 30 | 2025 |
| Boston, MA | $55,540 | 30 | 2025 |
| OH | $49,220 | 30 | 2025 |
| Hickory, NC | $48,380 | 150 | 2025 |
| NC | $48,180 | 270 | 2025 |
| MA | $47,680 | — | 2025 |
| VA | $45,390 | 40 | 2025 |
| MS | $41,060 | 30 | 2025 |
| Greensboro, NC | $40,090 | 70 | 2025 |
| TX | $34,930 | 70 | 2025 |
| FL | $33,790 | 380 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.