Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salary in the U.S.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers in the U.S. earn a median of $62,750 a year ($30.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,540 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $71,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fabric and apparel patternmakers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| 25th percentile | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| Median | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| 75th percentile | $93,930 | $45.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,540 | $59.39 |
| Average (mean) | $71,420 | $34.34 |
Half of fabric and apparel patternmakers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,614.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,413.46 |
| Weekly | $1,206.73 |
| Hourly | $30.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $101,230 | 670 |
| California | $89,010 | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,900 | 40 |
| Indiana | $59,400 | 50 |
| Missouri | $56,490 | 50 |
| Oregon | $55,740 | 30 |
| Ohio | $49,220 | 30 |
| North Carolina | $48,180 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $47,680 | n/a |
| Virginia | $45,390 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $41,060 | 30 |
| Texas | $34,930 | 70 |
| Florida | $33,790 | 380 |
Best-paying metro areas for fabric and apparel patternmakers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $101,250 | 630 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $89,010 | 830 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,490 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $55,540 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $48,380 | 150 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $40,090 | 70 |
Metro areas with the most fabric and apparel patternmakers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 830 | $89,010 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 630 | $101,250 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 150 | $48,380 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 70 | $40,090 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 40 | $85,490 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 30 | $55,540 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $35,060 | $16.85 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Upholsterer | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $41,640 | $20.02 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $37,280 | $17.93 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $39,530 | $19.01 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $46,350 | $22.29 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Sewers, Hand | $36,480 | $17.54 |
More: Production Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-6092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fabric and apparel patternmakers make in the U.S.?
The median salary for fabric and apparel patternmakers in the U.S. is $62,750 a year, or $30.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fabric and apparel patternmakers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of fabric and apparel patternmakers in the U.S. earn at least $123,540 a year. The top 25% earn $93,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for fabric and apparel patternmakers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,790 a year, and a quarter of fabric and apparel patternmakers earn $42,620 or less.
How many fabric and apparel patternmakers work in the U.S.?
About 2,950 fabric and apparel patternmakers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.