My Colorado Journey
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Retail

Tailor, Dressmaker, and Custom Sewer

Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.

Annual openings

77

Median wage

$51,110

Typical education

Education not reported

Growth 2026–2032

-1%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Education not reported

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Work experience

Previous experience as a Sewer, Hand is valued by employers

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Work style

The type of work can vary by job and employer.

  • With childrenNo
  • On a computerNo
  • OutdoorsNo
  • With your handsYes

Interests it draws on

  • Human Services

Automation exposure

High exposure

Many tasks are repeatable, so technology could reshape the day-to-day over time.

A typical day

  1. Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
  2. Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
  3. Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
  4. Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
  5. Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
  6. Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
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