Apparel Industry Workers

Apparel industry workers produce, maintain, or repair clothing and other consumer products made from cloth, leather, or fur. The three basic processes of garment production are cutting, sewing, and pressing. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are approximately 15,080 textile, apparel, and furnishings workers; 116,130 sewing machine operators; 14,950 tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers; 28,700 pressers; and 9,760 textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders. Apparel industry employees work primarily in manufacturing firms, though some are employed in retail establishments or laundries and dry-cleaners. They may be involved in creating apparel, from working with the pattern to cutting or sewing together parts of a garment through the final stages of finishing or inspecting the item.

Salary Range

Below $25,000 to $50,000

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma

Certification/License

None

Outlook

Decline

Personality Traits

Artistic

Hands On

Realistic

Career Ladder

Supervisor or Manager

Apparel Industry Worker

Assistant Apparel Industry Worker