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
Moderate-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.
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Sewers, hand work with fabric and materials using manual techniques, relying heavily on precision and careful craftsmanship. Nationally, there are about 5,000 people employed in this occupation, with a national median annual salary of $33,760. While overall projected employment growth is -7.0%, there are still an estimated 1,000 annual openings, suggesting ongoing turnover and replacement needs. This career can appeal to individuals who enjoy detail-oriented, hands-on work that uses fine motor skills, creativity, and mechanical awareness. The role also benefits from strengths in project management and customer service, reflecting situations where sewers may handle specific jobs from start to finish and interact with clients or colleagues. For those interested in occupations that emphasize craftsmanship and manual skill, sewers, hand can be a viable option, especially for people who value work that draws on patience, precision, and the ability to work with physical materials over long periods.
Sewers, hand earn a national median annual salary of $33,760. Pay varies by location, and some states offer higher median wages than the national figure. Among the top states by opportunity score, California shows a median salary of $42,420, which is notably higher than the national median. Massachusetts and New York also provide higher pay levels, with median salaries of $38,680 and $37,380 respectively. New Jersey’s median salary of $36,400 is above the national median as well, while Texas has a lower median salary of $29,320. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area matches New York state’s median of $37,380, positioning it as a relatively higher-paying metro among the listed locations. Overall, earnings potential in this occupation can differ meaningfully across states and metro areas, making geographic choice an important consideration for maximizing income.
National employment for sewers, hand stands at about 5,000 workers. Projected employment growth for this occupation is -7.0%, indicating an overall decline over the projection period. Even with this negative growth, there are still an estimated 1,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that while the total number of positions may be shrinking, there is ongoing demand to replace workers who leave the occupation or workforce. For someone considering this career, this means that new roles may arise more from turnover and replacement needs than from expansion. The presence of annual openings in the context of declining overall employment highlights the importance of understanding both long-term trends and near-term hiring. People entering the field should be mindful that opportunities may be more competitive over time, but that openings can still appear regularly as experienced workers move on or retire.
Location can significantly shape the experience of working as a sewer, hand. Among the top states by opportunity score, California ranks highest with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $42,420, and employment of 110. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, and median salaries of $38,680 and $37,380 respectively, though each has relatively small employment counts of 40 in Massachusetts and 120 in New York. New Jersey offers a median salary of $36,400 with employment of 40 and an opportunity score of 48.84. Texas has the largest employment among the listed states at 240, but a lower median salary of $29,320 and an opportunity score of 51.57. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out, with an opportunity score of 77.27, median salary of $37,380, and employment of 140, making it a particularly notable local market among those listed.
The typical education requirement for sewers, hand is no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who may not have completed traditional academic programs but are willing to develop the necessary abilities on the job. Success in this career is closely tied to skills rather than formal schooling. Key skills include fine motor abilities and being highly detail oriented, which support the precision needed in manual sewing tasks. Mechanical aptitude and physical strength and stamina are also important for handling tools, materials, and prolonged manual work. Creativity and innovation can contribute to problem solving and aesthetic choices. Project management skills are useful for organizing tasks and meeting deadlines, while customer service skills support interactions with clients or internal stakeholders. Mathematics and science, along with comfort with computers and information technology, round out a broad skill profile that can help sewers, hand handle measurements, basic technical information, and any digital tools used in their work environment.
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