How much does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers make?

The median annual wage for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is $62,750 ($30 per hour). Pay ranges from about $33,790 at the 10th percentile to $123,540 at the 90th percentile.

What is the average salary for a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers?

The average (mean) annual salary is $71,420, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Which state pays Fabric and Apparel Patternmakerss the most?

New York has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $101,230.

Is Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers a growing occupation?

BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.0K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.

What does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers do?

Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.; 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..

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers Salary

Production Occupations · 3.0K employed in the U.S.

Median annual

$62,750

Median hourly

$30

Average annual

$71,420

Typical range

$33,790–$123,540

Pay distribution

10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.

10th$33,790

25th$42,620

Median$62,750

75th$93,930

90th$123,540

What this role pays

The median annual salary for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is $62,750 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $30 an hour at a full-time schedule.

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

Most earn between $33,790 and $123,540 a year. There are roughly 3.0K people employed as fabric and apparel patternmakers in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.

Salary calculator

Convert your pay and see where it lands for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers.

Pay amountPay period

Hours / weekWeeks / year

Hourly: $30.17
Daily: $241
Weekly: $1,207
Bi-weekly: $2,413
Monthly: $5,229
Annual: $62,750

$62,750 a year is around the 50th percentile for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakerss. The median is $62,750.

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers — U.S., May 2025
Percentile	Hourly	Annual
10th percentile	$16.20	$33,790
25th percentile	$20.50	$42,620
Median	$30.20	$62,750
75th percentile	$45.20	$93,930
90th percentile	$59.40	$123,540
Average (mean)	$34.30	$71,420
Employment	2,950 people

Key skills

Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Mathematics
Active Learning
Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis

Highest-paying states

Median annual wage by state.

1New York$101,230
2California$89,010
3Pennsylvania$65,900
4Indiana$59,400
5Missouri$56,490
6Oregon$55,740
7Ohio$49,220
8North Carolina$48,180
9Massachusetts$47,680
10Virginia$45,390
11Mississippi$41,060
12Texas$34,930

Top-paying metro areas

Median annual wage by metro area.

1New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ$101,250
2Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$89,010
3San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$85,490
4Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH$55,540
5Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC$48,380
6Greensboro-High Point, NC$40,090

Related job titles

Employers advertise Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers roles under these titles.

Related occupations

What a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers does

Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
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.
Create a master pattern for each size within a range of garment sizes, using charts, drafting instruments, computers, or grading devices.
Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
Draw details on outlined parts to indicate where parts are to be joined, as well as the positions of pleats, pockets, buttonholes, and other features, using computers or drafting instruments.
Make adjustments to patterns after fittings.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers make?: The median annual wage for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is $62,750 ($30 per hour). Pay ranges from about $33,790 at the 10th percentile to $123,540 at the 90th percentile.
What is the average salary for a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers?: The average (mean) annual salary is $71,420, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
Which state pays Fabric and Apparel Patternmakerss the most?: New York has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $101,230.
Is Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers a growing occupation?: BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 3.0K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
What does a Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers do?: Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.; 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..