Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn a median of $62,750 per year ($30.17/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 15.0% through 2035, with about 200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-6092
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $62,750a year, or $30.17/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $34KTop 10% $124K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -15.0%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−15%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −15% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2003,000 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20253K
- Projected 20352.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 3K Projected 2035 2.6K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school2.9%
- High school40.7%
- Certificate11.5%
- Some college18.6%
- Bachelor's26.4%
Highest education held by fabric and apparel patternmakers Segment Value Less than high school 2.9% High school 40.7% Certificate 11.5% Some college 18.6% Bachelor's 26.4%
Also advertised as: Cutter, Designer, Fabric Cutter, Pattern Designer, Pattern Maker, Pattern Technician.
Pay
How much do Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers make?
Every fabric and apparel patternmaker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$62,750
Middle half earn $42,620 to $93,930
- 10th
- $33,790
- 25th
- $42,620
- 75th
- $93,930
- 90th
- $123,540
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $33,790 |
| 25th | $42,620 |
| Median | $62,750 |
| 75th | $93,930 |
| 90th | $123,540 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $62,750
- Median hourly wage
- $30.17/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $71,420
- People employed
- 2,950
Versus all US occupations
At $62,750, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn 23% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,770 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 31% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $123,540 or more while the bottom 10% earn $33,790, a gap of 3.7×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 36% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $101,230, and still leads at $93,800 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $101,230 | $93,800 | 670 |
| 2California | $89,010 | $80,392 | 930 |
| 3Pennsylvania | $65,900 | $67,540 | 40 |
| 4Indiana | $59,400 | $63,646 | 50 |
| 5Missouri | $56,490 | $62,202 | 50 |
| 6Oregon | $55,740 | $53,927 | 30 |
| 7Ohio | $49,220 | $53,054 | 30 |
| 8North Carolina | $48,180 | $51,078 | 270 |
| 9Massachusetts | $47,680 | $45,084 | N/A |
| 10Virginia | $45,390 | $44,894 | 40 |
Job outlook
Is Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -15.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | −15% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers to change -15.0% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 200 openings are projected each year, 6.7% of the 3,000 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as fabric and apparel patternmakers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)40.7%
- Bachelor's Degree26.4%
- Some College Courses18.6%
- Post-Secondary Certificate11.5%
- Less than a High School Diploma2.9%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 40.7% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 26.4% |
| Some College Courses | 18.6% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 2.9% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker do?
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Day-to-day tasks
- 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.
- Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.
- Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.
- Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.
- Examine sketches, sample articles, and design specifications to determine quantities, shapes, and sizes of pattern parts, and to determine the amount of material or fabric required to make a product.
- Determine the best layout of pattern pieces to minimize waste of material, and mark fabric accordingly.
- Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric, using scissors.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Mathematics3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Writing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Quality Control Analysis3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Instructing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 5 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Realistic5.7
- Artistic5.4
- Conventional4.2
- Enterprising1.4
- Investigative1.3
- Social1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with fabric and apparel patternmakers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker$62,750
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker | $62,750 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker appears on
Questions
Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker: frequently asked questions
How much do Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers make?
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn a median of $62,750 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 23% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $30.17/hr. The middle half earn between $42,620 and $93,930. The top 10% earn $123,540 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 40.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 15.0% over 2025–2035, a loss of 500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker do?
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. A core O*NET task: mark samples and finished patterns with information, such as garment size, section, style, identification, and sewing instructions. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Desktop publishing software, Electronic mail software.
Which states pay Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers the most?
The highest state medians for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers are New York ($101,230), California ($89,010), Pennsylvania ($65,900) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker?
O*NET scores Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.