Tailors and Dressmakers

Employment for tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers is expected to decline by 7 percent from 2023 through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Going forward, attributing factors to the general decline in this profession include the low cost and ready availability of factory-made clothing and the invention of labor-saving machinery such as computerized sewing and cutting machines. In fact, automated machines are expected to replace many sewing jobs in the next decade. In addition, the apparel industry has declined domestically as many businesses choose to produce their items abroad, where labor is cheap and, many times, unregulated.

Tailors and dressmakers who do reliable and skillful work, however, particularly in the areas of mending and alterations, should be able to find employment in the years to come. This industry is large, employing thousands of people. Many job openings will be created as current employees leave the workforce due to retirement or other reasons.