Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salary in California
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers in California earn a median of $89,010 a year ($42.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,800 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $62,750. California ranks 2nd of 13 states for fabric and apparel patternmakers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 fabric and apparel patternmakers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,560, close to the median.
Pay range for fabric and apparel patternmakers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 25th percentile | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Median | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| 75th percentile | $99,740 | $47.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,800 | $55.19 |
| Average (mean) | $84,560 | $40.66 |
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 | $7,417.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,708.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,423.46 |
| Weekly | $1,711.73 |
| Hourly | $42.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $89,010 | 830 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $85,490 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for fabric and apparel patternmakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $101,230 |
| California | $89,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,900 |
| Indiana | $59,400 |
| Missouri | $56,490 |
| Oregon | $55,740 |
| Ohio | $49,220 |
| North Carolina | $48,180 |
| Massachusetts | $47,680 |
| Virginia | $45,390 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Sewing Machine Operator | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | $44,360 | $21.33 |
| Upholsterer | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Sewers, Hand | $42,420 | $20.40 |
| Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders | $47,730 | $22.95 |
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 California?
The median salary for fabric and apparel patternmakers in California is $89,010 a year, or $42.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fabric and apparel patternmakers make in California?
The top 10% of fabric and apparel patternmakers in California earn at least $114,800 a year. The top 25% earn $99,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for fabric and apparel patternmakers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,730 a year, and a quarter of fabric and apparel patternmakers earn $64,690 or less.
How many fabric and apparel patternmakers work in California?
About 930 fabric and apparel patternmakers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.