Footwear and leather working trades

£38,586

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2022 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

47 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2022 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

4.5%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Tailors and dressmakers

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 5413

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:

Equality focus:

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