CDCareer Decision

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers Salary in San Jose, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers in San Jose, CA have a median annual salary of $59,020, with 80 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $44,350 at the 10th percentile to $59,020 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$59,020

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$28.38

Employment

80

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$44,350
10th
$47,970
25th
$59,020
Median
$59,020
75th
$59,020
90th

Local compared with national

San Jose, CA

$59,020

Median annual · 2025

United States

$41,640

Median annual · 2025

The San Jose, CA median is 41.7% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $17,380).

Top skills

  1. 1.Time ManagementImportance 3.1
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.0
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 3.0
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.0
  5. 5.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.9
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 2.8
  7. 7.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 2.8
  8. 8.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.6
  9. 9.Active LearningImportance 2.6
  10. 10.CoordinationImportance 2.6
  11. 11.Service OrientationImportance 2.6
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 2.6

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • ArbelSoft TailorMax
  • Bookkeeping software
  • Garment design software
  • Google Docs
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • Tailor Master

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
  • Trim excess material, using scissors.
  • Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
  • Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
  • Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers salary in other locations

Other occupations in San Jose, CA