Prevailing Wage for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Prevailing wages for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers are set by the Department of Labor across four experience levels, from entry-level alterations sewers to fully competent custom dressmakers and alterations experts. The floor varies significantly by city, so a sponsored position in one metro may clear the threshold while the same title in another falls short.
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Entry-level candidates with limited independent experience, typically performing straightforward alterations or basic garment repairs under close supervision. Most candidates at this level are newer to the occupation and have not yet developed specialized fitting or pattern-work skills.
The most common filing level for this occupation. Workers handle routine to moderately complex garment construction, alterations, or fittings with general supervision. Candidates typically bring a few years of hands-on experience and a working command of standard sewing and fitting techniques.
Experienced professionals who work independently on complex custom garments, bridal construction, or specialty pattern design. These candidates typically manage their own workflow, troubleshoot fit issues without guidance, and may train junior sewers or alterations staff.
Fully competent professionals at the senior or lead level, overseeing custom production, setting quality standards, or directing a fitting and alterations department. Candidates at this level bring deep expertise in pattern drafting, custom construction, and client consultation.
Prevailing Wage for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Confirm your title maps to SOC 51-6052
Job titles like Bridal Designer, Clothing Pattern Designer, or Custom Dressmaker are all O*NET alternates for this SOC. If your offer letter uses a different title, verify your employer filed the LCA under 51-6052, not a broader apparel or design SOC that carries a different wage floor.
Weigh coastal metros against lower-paying markets
The prevailing wage floor for this occupation shifts dramatically by location. San Jose and San Francisco set some of the highest floors even at entry level, while markets like Greenville and Houston sit well below the national median, particularly at Level 1 and Level 2.
Watch for piece-rate and commission pay structures
Some custom sewing and alterations employers pay partly by garment or on commission. For a sponsored position, only guaranteed base wages count toward the DOL prevailing wage floor. Piece-rate income or production bonuses cannot be used to satisfy the wage requirement on the LCA.
Find employers who have sponsored this role on Migrate Mate
Tailors and custom sewing roles are sponsored less frequently than tech or nursing occupations. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically filed H-1B or green card sponsorships for this SOC, so you can prioritize companies with an established track record before applying.
Jobs for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 51-6052.00 alongside Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Alterations Expert Prevailing Wage
Alterations Expert Prevailing Wage
Alterations Expert positions fall under SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Alterations Sewer Prevailing Wage
Alterations Sewer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Alterations Sewer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Bridal Designer Prevailing Wage
Bridal Designer Prevailing Wage
Bridal Designer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Clothing Pattern Designer Prevailing Wage
Clothing Pattern Designer Prevailing Wage
Clothing Pattern Designer positions fall under SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Custom Dressmaker Prevailing Wage
Custom Dressmaker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Custom Dressmaker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Custom Sewer Prevailing Wage
Custom Sewer Prevailing Wage
Custom Sewer is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Custom Tailor Prevailing Wage
Custom Tailor Prevailing Wage
Custom Tailor positions fall under SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Dressmaker Prevailing Wage
Dressmaker Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Dressmaker for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Seamstress Prevailing Wage
Seamstress Prevailing Wage
Seamstress is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Tailor Prevailing Wage
Tailor Prevailing Wage
Tailor positions fall under SOC 51-6052.00 (Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. For SOC 51-6052, that survey data is divided into four wage levels based on experience, complexity, and supervisory responsibility. Employers sponsoring a worker under H-1B or PERM must certify on the LCA that the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable level for the worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
Level 1 covers entry-level work under close supervision. Level 2 applies to qualified workers performing routine tasks with general oversight and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 reflects experienced professionals working independently on complex assignments. Level 4 covers fully competent senior or lead roles. Your level should match the actual duties and autonomy described in the job offer, not just the title. OFLC and USCIS both scrutinize mismatches between stated duties and the filed wage level.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role differ so much from city to city?
DOL sets prevailing wages using regional OES survey data, so the floor reflects what employers in a specific metro area actually pay for the occupation. A dense, high-cost market like New York or San Jose produces higher survey wages than a smaller or lower-cost market like Greenville or Houston. The LCA must list the actual worksite address, so the wage floor that applies is the one for the metro where the work is performed, not the employer's headquarters city.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An LCA certified at a wage below the DOL prevailing wage floor is not valid for H-1B or PERM purposes. USCIS can deny the petition, and if the underpayment is discovered after approval, DOL can assess back wages and bar the employer from future sponsorships. If your offer is below the applicable level, the employer needs to either increase the salary or refile the LCA at the correct level before the petition is submitted.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up SOC 51-6052 by metropolitan area and wage level. Enter the worksite city or metro, select the occupation code, and compare the result to your offered salary. For sponsored roles, you can also search the OFLC public disclosure data to see what wage levels recent employers have filed for this occupation in your target market. Migrate Mate can help you identify which employers have sponsored workers in this SOC so you can focus your search on companies with active sponsorship history.
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