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Production

Sewers, Hand

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Sewers, Hand
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Median pay

$33,760
Median annual pay for Sewers, Hand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-7%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

5,400
Estimated U.S. employment for Sewers, Hand in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Administration and Management
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Mechanical
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Finger Dexterity
  2. 2Manual Dexterity
  3. 3Arm-Hand Steadiness
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Control Precision
  6. 6Category Flexibility

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  4. 4Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  5. 5Assisting and Caring for Others
  6. 6Handling and Moving Objects

Work context

  1. 1Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  4. 4Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
  5. 5Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  6. 6Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Fit garments on clients, altering as needed.
  • Smooth seams with heated irons, flat bones, or rubbing sticks.
  • Draw and cut patterns according to specifications.

Software and tools

Adobe Illustrator · hot technologyAdobe Photoshop · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyAdobe FreeHand MXCorel CorelDraw Graphics SuiteDrawing softwareEmbroidery design softwareGraphics digitizing softwareTemplate design software

The short answer

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

The measurable national baseline is $33,760 median annual pay, -7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 700 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Sewers, Hand is $33,760. Current employment is 5,400, with projected 2034 employment of 5,000. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects -7% employment growth for Sewers, Hand from 2024 to 2034 and about 700 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

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

A representative O*NET task is: Select thread, twine, cord, or yarn to be used, and thread needles. The broader activity profile emphasizes Controlling Machines and Processes, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Active Listening, Monitoring, Speaking. Leading knowledge areas are Customer and Personal Service, Administration and Management, English Language. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software.

Common questions

What is the median pay for Sewers, Hand?

The national median annual pay in the current dataset is $33,760. Actual pay varies by location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours.

Is demand growing for Sewers, Hand?

BLS projects -7% employment growth from 2024 to 2034 and about 700 openings per year. Openings include both newly created positions and replacement demand.

What education is needed for Sewers, Hand?

The typical BLS entry-education category is No formal educational credential. Related experience, on-the-job training, licensing, or certification requirements may also apply.

What does Sewers, Hand involve?

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

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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