Tailors and dressmakers: average salary and pay in the UK
Full-time tailors and dressmakers in the UK earned a median £25,212 in the year to 5 April 2025, according to the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE): 35% less than the £39,039 median for all full-time jobs.
What the figures show
It is in the lowest-paid third of the 382 occupations (25th from the bottom).
Median full-time pay: women £23,521 a year, men £25,958 a year.
Since 2021 the median has risen 29.7% (from £19,434), faster than the 25.0% for all jobs.
The Annual Population Survey counts 12,000 people in this line of work across the UK.
Pay distribution, 2025 provisional
| Gross pay | Full-time, annual | Full-time, weekly | Full-time, hourly | All, weekly | All, hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30th percentile | – | – | – | – | £12.44 |
| 40th percentile | – | £519.40 | – | £457.60* | £12.70 |
| Median (50th percentile) | £25,212 | £533.90 | £13.76 | £480.10* | £13.12 |
| 60th percentile | – | – | £15.03* | £521.40* | £13.66 |
| Mean | £28,316 | £573.10 | £14.77 | £469.60 | £14.37 |
Pay since 2021
| ASHE year | Full-time, annual median | Full-time, weekly median | Full-time, hourly median | All, annual median | All, weekly median |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 revised | £19,434 | £409.50 | £11.14 | – | £350.60 |
| 2023 revised | £23,348 | £460.10* | £12.14 | – | £408.80* |
| 2024 revised | £24,797 | £499.40 | £12.01 | £22,124* | £448.00* |
| 2025 provisional | £25,212 | £533.90 | £13.76 | – | £480.10* |
Tailors and dressmakers by region
UK: 12,000 (± 4,300), April 2025 to March 2026.
Annual Population Survey (Nomis)
What tailors and dressmakers do
Tailors and dressmakers prepare patterns and make, fit and alter tailored garments, dresses and other articles of clothing. (ONS SOC 2020, 5413)
Also covers: costume maker, cutter (hosiery, knitwear mfr), dressmaker, pattern Cutter, tailor, tailoress, alteration assistant, alteration cutter, alteration fitter, blouse cutter, blouse maker, cap cutter, cap maker, cloth cutter, clothier's cutter, clothing cutter, clothing fitter and coat fitter (97 titles in the ONS coding index).
- 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
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.
Related
Textiles and garments trades (median £26,868) · Footwear and leather working trades · Upholsterers · salary percentile · UK average weekly earnings growth · Median
ASHE Table 14: 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 · coding index · notes · 15 October 2026