Updated · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker Salary

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn a median $62,750 a year nationally. Production Occupations

U.S. median
$62,750
$30.17 per hour
Range
$33,790 – $123,540
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
2,950
across the U.S.
▼7.3%
Pay trend: The median for fabric and apparel patternmakers in the U.S. fell from $67,670 (May 2024) to $62,750 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 9.7%.

What fabric and apparel patternmakers do

Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.

Typical education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
-15.0% (declining)
Openings per year
200
Self-employed
4%

Employment of fabric and apparel patternmakers is projected to shrink 15.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.

Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker take-home pay calculator

Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker
Deductions, kids & local tax

2026 tax year. Federal brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Your take-home pay
$52,600
per year · effective tax rate 16.2%
$4,383Monthly
$2,192Twice a month
$2,023Every 2 weeks
$25.29Hourly
  • Federal income tax$5,350
  • Social Security (6.2%)$3,891
  • Medicare (1.45%)$910
  • Texas income tax$0
  • Take-home pay$52,600

Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state

Pay by experience

PercentileSalaryHourlyTake-home (no state tax)
10th percentile (entry level)$33,790$16.25$29,330
25th percentile$42,620$20.49$36,425
Median (50th)$62,750$30.17$52,600
75th percentile$93,930$45.16$74,910
90th percentile (top earners)$123,540$59.39$95,706

Fabric and Apparel Patternmaker salary by state

StateMedian1-yr changeTake-homeRangeJobs
New York $101,230+0.9%$75,113 $56,880 – $151,340670
California $89,010+14.9%$66,243 $47,730 – $114,800930
Pennsylvania $65,900+18.0%$53,108 $30,060 – $85,94040
Indiana $59,400—$48,185 $37,580 – $88,85050
Missouri $56,490−18.3%$45,852 $37,860 – $79,74050
Oregon $55,740−10.3%$42,919 $36,250 – $76,77030
Ohio $49,220—$41,157 $39,210 – $95,77030
North Carolina $48,180−3.6%$39,479 $32,240 – $63,450270
Massachusetts $47,680—$38,327 $43,150 – $77,430—
Virginia $45,390+5.5%$36,855 $37,780 – $63,50040
Mississippi $41,060−8.2%$34,261 $31,200 – $49,86030
Texas $34,930+4.9%$30,246 $21,460 – $66,41070
Florida $33,790−48.5%$29,330 $33,790 – $47,330380

Related jobs

JobMedian salaryEducationGrowth 2025–35
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers$46,350High school diploma or equivalent-3.3%
Upholsterer$46,340High school diploma or equivalent-2.3%
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other$37,280High school diploma or equivalent-13.4%
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers$41,640No formal educational credential-8.8%
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39,530High school diploma or equivalent-13.7%
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,760High school diploma or equivalent-13.6%
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,670High school diploma or equivalent-10.3%
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operator and Tender$38,180High school diploma or equivalent-12.5%
Shoe and Leather Worker and Repairer$37,800High school diploma or equivalent-6.5%
Sewing Machine Operator$36,670No formal educational credential-15.1%

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fabric and apparel patternmaker make?

The national median salary for fabric and apparel patternmakers is $62,750 a year ($30.17 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,790 and the top 10% earn over $123,540. Source: BLS, May 2025.

Which state pays fabric and apparel patternmakers the most?

New York has the highest median pay at $101,230.

How many fabric and apparel patternmakers are there in the U.S.?

About 2,950 people work as fabric and apparel patternmakers nationwide.