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Tailor I Salary in the United States

How much does a Tailor I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Tailor I in the United States is $37,073 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Tailor I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,785
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,156 to $41,633
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $29,590
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Tailor I Salaries

A Tailor I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Tailor I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Tailor I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $36,371
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $37,073
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,570
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $38,774
  • Expert (over 8 years): $39,115
Levels Salary
Entry Level Tailor I$36,371
Intermediate Level Tailor I$37,073
Senior Level Tailor I$38,570
Specialist Level Tailor I$38,774
Expert Level Tailor I$39,115
View as Graph

How Do Tailor I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Tailor Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $41,047.
  • California: $40,892.
  • Massachusetts: $40,347.

Top Paying Cities for Tailor Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $46,760
  • San Francisco: $46,248
  • Oakland: $45,274

What Skills Can Increase a Tailor I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Teamwork (Mentioned in 30.26% Job Postings): Teamwork is a skill consist of interrelated abilities that let you work effectively in an organized group. Teamwork skills are vital to employers, as teams are a basic organizational unit within many companies.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 1.87% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
  • Inventory Management (Mentioned in 0.85% Job Postings): Overseeing and controlling supplies and stock to ensure that an organization maintains an adequate stock quantity.
Skills Demand Percentage
Teamwork 30.26%
Work Ethic 1.87%
Inventory Management 0.85%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Tailor I's salary.

  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Talent Acquisition: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Innovation $41,151
11%
Interviewing $40,039
8%
Talent Acquisition $39,297
6%
Get Latest Data

Tailor I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Tailor I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $40,659. While startup companies pay approximate $34,375.

Tailor I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $34,375
Growth Stage 51~500 $36,357
Established 501~5000 $39,260
Enterprise 5000+ $40,659

Tailor I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Tailor I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Retail & Wholesale and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Tailor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Tailor I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Tailor I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$48,195$23.030%
MFG Nondurable$40,780$20.010%

How Education impacts a Tailor I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Tailor I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Tailor I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $41,631 and $45,495.

Tailor I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Tailor I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 12.5%
High School 37.5%
Associates 12.5%
Bachelors 31.3%
Masters 6.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Tailor I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Tailor I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$33,156
Average $37,073/year
$41,633
$2,763
Average $3,089/month
$3,469
$638
Average $713/week
$801
$16
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,633 $3,469 $801 $20
Average $37,073 $3,089 $713 $18
25th Percentile $33,156 $2,763 $638 $16

Tailor I Salary Growth & Career Path

Tailor I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Tailor I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Barber $36,094 -3%
Spa Supervisor $46,995 27%
Tailor II $52,395 41%

Most common benefits for Tailor I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Tailor I

Here are companies hiring for Tailor I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Tailor I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Tailor I

1. Where can a Tailor I earn the most?

A Tailor I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Tailor I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Tailor I is $46,760.

2. What is the highest pay for Tailor I?

The highest pay for Tailor I is $45,785.

3. What is the lowest pay for Tailor I?

The lowest pay for Tailor I is $29,590.

4. What are the responsibilities of Tailor I?

Responsible for constructing, altering, repairing, or modifying garments for customers based on their specifications, needs, and preferences. Reads patterns, uses measuring tools, and works with different fabrics and embellishments. Presses and finishes altered clothes and linens. Completes work within deadlines to ensure altered merchandise is sewn, pressed, and checked for imperfections. May require a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Tailor I?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Tailor I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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