Designs and handcrafts hats and headpieces for fashion clients, brides, theater and film productions, and retail shops. BLS does not publish separate figures for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers; it counts them within tailor, dressmaker, and custom sewer (SOC 51-6052), whose median pay is $41,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 51-6052
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Milliner in four numbers
- Median pay
- $41,640a year, or $20.02/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $30KTop 10% $64K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -8.8%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−8.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −8.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3,70033,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202533.2K
- Projected 203530.3K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 33.2K Projected 2035 30.3K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school16.9%
- High school57.7%
- Certificate16%
- Bachelor's9.5%
Highest education held by tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers Segment Value Less than high school 16.9% High school 57.7% Certificate 16% Bachelor's 9.5%
Also advertised as: Hat Maker, Hat Designer, Theatrical Milliner, Headwear Designer, Millinery Artisan.
Pay
How much do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make?
Every milliner in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$41,640
Middle half earn $35,230 to $50,200
- 10th
- $29,920
- 25th
- $35,230
- 75th
- $50,200
- 90th
- $63,670
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $29,920 |
| 25th | $35,230 |
| Median | $41,640 |
| 75th | $50,200 |
| 90th | $63,670 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $41,640
- Median hourly wage
- $20.02/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $45,140
- People employed
- 13,920
Versus all US occupations
At $41,640, Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers earn 18% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $9,340 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 13% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $63,670 or more while the bottom 10% earn $29,920, a gap of 2.1×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 9% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $60,210, and still leads at $55,791 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers 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 | $60,210 | $55,791 | 1,160 |
| 2District of Columbia | $57,720 | $52,520 | 80 |
| 3Washington | $54,300 | $50,741 | 100 |
| 4Hawaii | $53,680 | $48,822 | N/A |
| 5Colorado | $51,110 | $49,596 | 160 |
| 6Massachusetts | $50,470 | $47,723 | N/A |
| 7Nevada | $49,150 | $49,160 | 100 |
| 8Pennsylvania | $48,310 | $49,512 | 610 |
| 9Missouri | $48,240 | $53,118 | 200 |
| 10Maryland | $48,200 | $45,923 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Milliner a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -8.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers | −8.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers to change -8.8% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,900 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 3,700 openings are projected each year, 11.1% of the 33,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Milliner
No degree is required, but formal training helps. The Fashion Institute of Technology offers a Millinery Techniques credit certificate covering blocking, fabric hat construction, men's hats, and bridal headwear. Many milliners also learn through short workshops and apprenticeships with established hat makers, and costume programs at theater schools often include millinery.
Newcomers build skills and a collection of blocks over time, then start by selling at markets and online, taking custom commissions, or working in a theater costume shop or for a hat company.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 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)
Little or no 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 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)57.7%
- Less than a High School Diploma16.9%
- Post-Secondary Certificate16%
- Bachelor's Degree9.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 57.7% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 16.9% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 16% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 9.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Milliner do?
A milliner makes hats by hand. They block felt and straw over wooden forms using steam, sew fabric hats, and build headpieces and fascinators from sinamay, feathers, flowers, and veiling. Each hat is shaped, stiffened, trimmed, and finished with a sweatband and lining so it fits and holds its form.
Many milliners run small studios that sell to private clients for weddings, races, and special events, as well as to boutiques. Theatrical milliners work in costume shops for theater, opera, and film, building period hats from a designer's sketches. Milliners also repair and restyle vintage hats.
Day-to-day tasks
- Block felt and straw hats over wooden forms
- Sew fabric hats and build fascinators and headpieces
- Trim hats with ribbon, feathers, flowers, and veiling
- Fit custom hats to clients' head measurements
- Build period hats for theater and film from designer sketches
- Repair and restyle vintage hats
- Sell collections to boutiques and private clients
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Milliners work in small studios, workshops, and theater costume shops. The work is hands-on and detailed, involving steam, sewing, and repetitive fine handwork. Independent milliners face seasonal demand around weddings, horse races, and holidays, and income depends on commissions and sales.
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
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost 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
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Critical Thinking3.0
- Monitoring2.8
- Reading Comprehension2.6
- Active Learning2.6
- Writing2.5
- Learning Strategies2.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 2.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.6 |
| Active Learning | 2.6 |
| Writing | 2.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Time Management3.1
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.8
- Coordination2.6
- Service Orientation2.6
- Complex Problem Solving2.6
- Operations Monitoring2.5
- Operations Analysis2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.8 |
| Coordination | 2.6 |
| Service Orientation | 2.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.5 |
| Operations Analysis | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Inventory management software
- Point of sale POS software
“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 Milliner?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RAE) built on O*NET's Tailor, Dressmaker, and Custom Sewer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Milliner |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 3 |
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.
- Realistic5.9
- Artistic4.4
- Enterprising3.1
- Conventional3.1
- Social2.0
- Investigative1.2
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 Milliner
O*NET related occupations
- Production
Tailor, Dressmaker, and Custom Sewer
$41,640median a year
Most earn $30K to $64K
−8.8%No formal credential - Production
- Production
- Production
- Production
- Production
Presser, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
$35,060median a year
Most earn $27K to $43K
−15.7%No formal credential
More production careers
Median annual pay, with tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Milliner$41,640
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Milliner | $41,640 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Milliner appears on
Questions
Milliner: frequently asked questions
How much do Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers. It counts them within tailor, dressmaker, and custom sewer, whose median pay is $41,640 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $35,230 and $50,200, and the top 10% earn $63,670 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Milliner?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. 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, 57.7% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Milliner a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 8.8% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,900 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 3,700 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Milliner do?
A milliner makes hats by hand. A typical task: block felt and straw hats over wooden forms. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Spreadsheet software, Word processing software.
Which states pay Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers the most?
The highest state medians for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers are New York ($60,210), District of Columbia ($57,720), Washington ($54,300) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Milliner?
O*NET scores Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers highest on the Realistic, Artistic and Enterprising 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. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.