Tailors and dressmakers

£31,286

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

27 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

7.2%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Tailors and dressmakers

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 5414

Tailors and dressmakers prepare patterns and make, fit and alter tailored garments, dresses and other articles of clothing.

Common tasks include:

takes customer’s measurements and discusses required style and material;
prepares individual or adapts stock pattern;
examines fabrics or skins for flaws and prepares materials for cutting;
arranges pattern on correct grain of fabric, marks position and cuts out garment parts with hand shears, electric knife or cutting machine;
pins/tacks and fits garment on customer or dummy model and makes any necessary alterations;
sews garment parts together by hand or machine, makes buttonholes and sews on fasteners and trimmings;
shapes garment by pressing seams, pleats, etc.;
makes alterations to finished garments according to customer’s requirements.

Qualifications

There are no formal academic entry requirements, although some employers may require GCSEs/S grades. A variety of relevant vocational courses, including apprenticeships in some areas, are available leading to qualifications up to Level 3.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Tailors and dressmakers

Regional employment: Tailors and dressmakers

Future employment: Tailors and dressmakers

Top 12 industries: Tailors and dressmakers

Alternative & related job titles: Tailors and dressmakers

Hand, alteration Maker, blouse Cutter, hosiery Maker, dress Cutter, blouse Tacker (tailoring) Marker (clothing mfr) Assistant, cutter's (clothing mfr) Copyist (millinery mfr) Cutter (embroidering) Cutter, material Cutter, collar Cutter, machine (clothing mfr) Fitter, dress Fitter, tailor's Improver, cutter Cutter, glove Nailer (fur goods mfr) Cutter, tailor's Cutter, lingerie Hand, second (clothing mfr) Assistant, milliner's Fitter and trimmer Cutter (hosiery, knitwear mfr) Maker, trouser Webber Tailor and outfitter Cutter, under Cutter, cap Dressmaker Cutter, knife (leather glove mfr) Measurer (clothing mfr) Assistant, tailor's Baister Maker, shirt Foreman (tailoring) Cutter, clothing Cutter, mantle Cutter, clothier's Cutter, pattern (clothing mfr) Fixer, trimmer Hand, general (dressmaking) Maker, waistcoat Cutter and fitter Cutter, garment Fitter, clothing (retail trade) Cutter (haberdashery mfr) Cutter, fur Cutter, leather (clothing mfr) Maker, pattern (clothing mfr) Fitter (clothing mfr) Marker-up (clothing mfr) Cutter, measure Shaper (clothing mfr) Worker, glove Assistant (tailoring) Maker, coat Cutter, costume Cutter, table (glove mfr) Cutter (hat mfr) Cutter, knife, band Copyist, milliner's Tailoress Cutter, skin (clothing mfr) Maker, kilt Cutter (glove mfr) Cutter, alteration Cutter, lining (clothing mfr) Cutter, press (made-up textiles mfr) Baster Cutter Blocker, fur Cutter, hand (clothing mfr) Cutter, pattern, clothing Costumier Maker, mantle, fur Pleater (clothing mfr) Shaper, collar Furrier (fur goods mfr) Maker, garment Milliner Machinist, cutting (clothing mfr) Cutter, cloth (made-up textiles mfr) Fitter, alteration Picker (clothing mfr) Hand, first (clothing mfr) Maker, cap (clothing mfr) Layer-up (clothing mfr) Cutter, tie Tailor Improver, millinery Cutter, shirt Cutter, knife, hand Fitter-up (clothing mfr) Cutter, knife, machine Cutter (clothing mfr) Cutter, fabric Cutter, hat Maker, skirt Cutter, trimming Puncher (glove mfr) Assistant, alteration Cutter, linen (button mfr) Preparer (clothing mfr) Cutter, stock Fitter, coat Cutter, cloth (clothing mfr) Fixer (clothing mfr) Assistant, room, cutting (clothing mfr) Maker, costume Worker, hat

Equality focus: Tailors and dressmakers

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.