Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Production · SOC 51-6092 · O*NET 51-6092.00
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn a median salary of $67,670 per year, ranking in the top 35% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -10.2% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do fabric and apparel patternmakers earn?
The median annual wage for fabric and apparel patternmakers is $67,670. That puts fabric and apparel patternmakers at #284 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $34,590 |
| 25th percentile | $44,110 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,670 |
| 75th percentile | $91,080 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,540 |
| Median hourly wage | $32.54/hr |
Is fabric and apparel patternmakers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for fabric and apparel patternmakers is -10.2%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 2K positions in 2024 to 2K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.
What do fabric and apparel patternmakers do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working fabric and apparel patternmakers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Input specifications into computers to assist with pattern design and pattern cutting.
- 2.Compute dimensions of patterns according to sizes, considering stretching of material.
- 3.Discuss design specifications with designers, and convert their original models of garments into patterns of separate parts that can be laid out on a length of fabric.
- 4.Create design specifications to provide instructions on garment sewing and assembly.
- 5.Trace outlines of specified patterns onto material, and cut fabric, using scissors.
- 6.Create a paper pattern from which to mass-produce a design concept.
- 7.Test patterns by making and fitting sample garments.
- 8.Position and cut out master or sample patterns, using scissors and knives, or print out copies of patterns, using computers.
Top skills for fabric and apparel patternmakers
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become fabric and apparel patternmaker?
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about fabric and apparel patternmakers
What is the median salary for fabric and apparel patternmakers?
The median annual salary for fabric and apparel patternmakers is $67,670 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is fabric and apparel patternmakers a growing career?
BLS projects -10.2% growth for fabric and apparel patternmakers from 2024 through 2034, which is declining growth projected to lose jobs through 2034.
What education does my child need to become fabric and apparel patternmaker?
The typical entry path requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to fabric and apparel patternmakers?
Related occupations within the Production category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.