Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Pressers of textiles, garments, and related materials work in a hands-on role focused on finishing and preparing fabric and clothing items. National employment is about 28,000 workers, and the occupation has 3,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing movement in and out of these jobs. The national median annual salary is $33,880, with some states and metro areas offering higher typical pay. People in this career rely heavily on physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, mechanical abilities, and strong attention to detail. Interpersonal and customer service skills can also play a role, especially where there is direct contact with customers or team members. The typical education requirement is no formal educational credential, which may make this a more accessible path for individuals looking to enter the workforce without extended schooling. Those exploring alternatives might also consider related roles such as textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other, or other hands-on occupations listed as similar options.
For pressers of textiles, garments, and related materials, the national median annual salary is $33,880. Pay varies by location, with some states and metro areas standing out. Among the top states by opportunity score, California shows a median salary of $39,300, while New York reports $36,510 and Massachusetts $36,410. Colorado and Washington offer median salaries of $38,300 and $37,620, respectively. At the metro level, several areas report higher typical pay than the national median. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro has a median salary of $44,440, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is close behind at $43,790. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro shows $37,920, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH aligns with the Massachusetts state median of $36,410. These differences suggest that location choice can significantly influence earning potential in this field.
Pressers of textiles, garments, and related materials have national employment of about 28,000 workers. The occupation is projected to experience -13.5% employment growth, indicating a decline over the projection period. Even with this negative growth rate, there are an estimated 3,000 annual openings. These openings can arise from various types of job turnover and workforce changes, even when overall employment is shrinking. The consistent -13.5% projected growth shown across the highlighted states and metro areas suggests that this declining trend is broadly reflected in multiple regions rather than limited to a single area. For individuals considering this career, the combination of declining overall employment with ongoing annual openings points to a labor market where careful attention to location and job transitions may be important. Those exploring long-term paths might also review the listed similar occupations as additional options in related or alternative fields.
Location plays a major role in opportunities for pressers of textiles, garments, and related materials. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $39,300 and employment of 3,850, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts have median salaries of $36,510 and $36,410 and opportunity scores around 66, with New York employing 1,730 workers and Massachusetts 470. Colorado and Washington show median salaries of $38,300 and $37,620 with more moderate opportunity scores in the mid‑50s and smaller employment bases. At the metro level, opportunity is even more concentrated. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA posts a median salary of $44,440 and the highest opportunity score of 77.42, despite relatively modest employment of 110. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro combines the highest employment (1,990) with a strong opportunity score of 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA also offers relatively high pay at $43,790 and an opportunity score of 68.75. These patterns highlight meaningful differences in both scale and pay across regions.
The typical education requirement for pressers of textiles, garments, and related materials is no formal educational credential. This means individuals can enter the occupation without completing a specific degree or formal program. While formal education is not required, success in this field leans heavily on a defined set of skills. Physical strength and stamina support the demands of the work environment, while fine motor abilities and mechanical skills help with precise, hands-on tasks. Being detail oriented is important for maintaining consistency and quality. Interpersonal and customer service skills can be valuable in settings where pressers interact with colleagues or customers. Adaptability may help workers adjust to different tasks or workflow changes, and project management capabilities can support handling multiple assignments efficiently. Creativity and innovation, along with science-related skills, round out the profile, showing that both practical and conceptual abilities can contribute to performance in this role.
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