Production

Sewers, hand

Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.

Median pay

$36,480

Growth to 2035

−12%

declining

Openings a year

600

Time to qualify*

6 months

* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.

Pay

Sewers, hand

$36,48010% earn under $27,680 · middle half $33,330–$40,720 · top 10% over $47,570

Bar: middle 50% of workers. Line: 10th to 90th percentile. Dot: median. BLS OEWS, May 2025, national.

Getting in

Typical entry education: No formal educational credential
On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training
Prior experience: None

Calculate your switch to sewers, hand

What the work is like

Sewers, hand

Dealing with the public

Rarely

Constantly

Unpleasant or angry people

Rarely

Constantly

Time pressure

Rarely

Constantly

Cost of a mistake

Minor

Severe

Freedom to make decisions

Little

A lot

Repeating the same tasks

Rarely

Constantly

Time sitting

Rarely

Constantly

Time standing

Rarely

Constantly

Sewers, hand: 26% usually work over 40 hours a week

Average worker ratings, 1 to 5. O*NET 31.0 work context survey.

Core tasks

Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
Trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives.
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
Use different sewing techniques such as felling, tacking, basting, embroidery, and fagoting.

Also called: Alteration Specialist · Couturier · Custom Clothier · Custom Designer · Custom Seamstress · Seamstress · Stitcher

Outlook and AI

Sewers, hand held 5,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 4,600 by 2035 (−12%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).

Sewers, hand

Pay

Getting in

What the work is like

Core tasks

Outlook and AI

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