Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers
SOC Code: 51-6052
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers carries a 31% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $40,860 and -4.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 38,800 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 31% AI exposure, Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers sits 6 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 33% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers has ai exposure of 31%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers (SOC 51-6052) carries an AI exposure score of 31%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 38,800 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -4.5% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $40,860, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Measure parts, such as sleeves or pant legs, and mark or pin-fold alteration lines.
- 2. Remove stitches from garments to be altered, using rippers or razor blades.
- 3. Sew garments, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- 4. Let out or take in seams in suits and other garments to improve fit.
- 5. Measure customers, using tape measures, and record measurements.
- 6. Fit and study garments on customers to determine required alterations.
- 7. Trim excess material, using scissors.
- 8. Assemble garment parts and join parts with basting stitches, using needles and thread or sewing machines.
- 9. Make garment style changes, such as tapering pant legs, narrowing lapels, and adding or removing padding.
- 10. Maintain garment drape and proportions as alterations are performed.
Key Skills Required
- Time Management
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
- Economics and Accounting
- Design
- Mathematics
- Sales and Marketing
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers?
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers has an AI exposure score of 31%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is projected to decline by 4.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 38,800 workers.
What skills are needed for Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers?
Key skills for Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers include Time Management, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers earn?
The median annual wage for Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is $40,860, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers?
The typical entry-level education for Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers?
Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).