Sewers, Hand
SOC code 51-6051 · O*NET-SOC 51-6051.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production
Sewers, Hand pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$36,480
a year
Hourly
$17.54
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$37,210
$17.89 per hour
Middle 50%
$33,330 – $40,720
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$27,680 – $47,570
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
2,190
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $27,680
- $13.31/hr
- 25th percentile
- $33,330
- $16.03/hr
- Median percentile
- $36,480
- $17.54/hr
- 75th percentile
- $40,720
- $19.58/hr
- 90th percentile
- $47,570
- $22.87/hr
What do sewers, hand do?
Sew, join, reinforce, or finish, usually with needle and thread, a variety of manufactured items. Includes weavers and stitchers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Fit garments on clients, altering as needed.
- 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.
- Smooth seams with heated irons, flat bones, or rubbing sticks.
- 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.
- Draw and cut patterns according to specifications.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 82% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma82%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)11%
- Some College Courses4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2%
Common questions
How much does a sewers, hand earn?
The national median is $36,480 a year. The full range runs from $27,680 at the 10th percentile to $47,570 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a sewers, hand without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening2.6/5
- Speaking2.6/5
- Monitoring2.6/5
- Reading Comprehension2.5/5
- Critical Thinking2.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- English Language2.9/5
- Mechanical2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Complex Problem Solving.