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Skilled Trades

Sewers, Hand

Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.

Median salary (BLS)

$36,480

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$28k – $48k

Job outlook

No separate BLS projection for this specific role

AI exposure

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Education

Typical entry: No degree required

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Sewers, Hand" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Sewers, Hand

    Entry / Junior

    $27,680

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Sewers, Hand

    Established

    $36,480

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Sewers, Hand

    Senior

    $42,025

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles.
  • •Measure and align parts, fasteners, or trimmings, following seams, edges, or markings on parts.
  • •Trim excess threads or edges of parts, using scissors or knives.
  • •Sew, join, reinforce, or finish parts of articles, such as garments, books, mattresses, toys, and wigs, using needles and thread or other materials.
  • •Use different sewing techniques such as felling, tacking, basting, embroidery, and fagoting.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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