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How to hire an alteration specialist

Alteration specialist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring alteration specialists in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire an alteration specialist is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per alteration specialist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 6,469 alteration specialists in the US and 22,607 job openings.
  • Flowery Branch, GA, has the highest demand for alteration specialists, with 2 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of alteration specialists.

How to hire an alteration specialist, step by step

To hire an alteration specialist, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a alteration specialist:

Here's a step-by-step alteration specialist hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an alteration specialist job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new alteration specialist
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your alteration specialist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an alteration specialist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an alteration specialist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an alteration specialist that fits the bill.

    This list presents alteration specialist salaries for various positions.

    Type of Alteration SpecialistDescriptionHourly rate
    Alteration Specialist$11-28
    Tailor FitterTailor Fitters are highly responsible for constructing, amending, altering, repairing, and changing the garments of clients based on choice and preferences. They ask for the customer's measurement like body size and determine if additional requirements are essential.$10-25
    Alterations TailorAn alterations tailor specializes in altering clothing for adjustments and repairs. Their responsibilities include communicating with clients to determine their needs, recording client measurements and alteration requests, analyzing the quality of fabric to identify the most convenient process, and sewing clothing materials by machine or hand... Show more$10-24
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Scheduling Appointments
    • Apparel
    • Embroidery
    • Customer Orders
    • Product Knowledge
    • David
    • Sales Floor
    • POS
    • Coats
    • Industrial Sewing Machines
    • Customer Service
    • Customer Issues
    • Customers Request
    • Bridal Parties
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Job responsibilities include achieving sales goals, negotiating with customers and keeping positive customer relationship.
    • Used advanced sewing techniques while operating industrial strength sewing machines, sergers, irons and steamers.
    • Conduct research using online federal regulations, review Medicare and Medicaid policy and guidelines to complete an accurate and well-support decision.
    • Job responsibilities include achieving sales goals, negotiating with customers and keeping positive customer relationship.
    More alteration specialist duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your alteration specialist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An alteration specialist salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, alteration specialists' average salary in alabama is 49% less than in pennsylvania.
    • Seniority. Entry-level alteration specialists earn 61% less than senior-level alteration specialists.
    • Certifications. An alteration specialist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an alteration specialist's salary.

    Average alteration specialist salary

    $37,091yearly

    $17.83 hourly rate

    Entry-level alteration specialist salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025

    Average alteration specialist salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$50,725$24
    2Massachusetts$48,797$23
    3California$43,975$21
    4Georgia$32,759$16
    5Texas$30,604$15

    Average alteration specialist salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Scheels$31,397$15.09
    2Louis Vuitton$30,742$14.78
    3David's Bridal$30,658$14.74
    4CHANEL$30,538$14.682
  4. Writing an alteration specialist job description

    A good alteration specialist job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an alteration specialist job description:

    Alteration specialist job description example

    Travis Association for the Blind/Austin Lighthouse (TAB) a non-profit organization, was founded in 1934 by Dr. Henry L. Hilgartner and other civic-minded citizens of Austin to provide a setting where blind men and women could come to learn skills and create products that were sold door to door.

    Today, Travis Association for the Blind stays true to the mission established in 1934 by providing opportunities for economic and personal independence for people who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf blind by creating, sustaining, and improving employment. We continue to grow and expand the services we provide to blind Texans.

    Our Core Values guide us in everything we do: LIGHT : L eadership, I ntegrity, G rowth & Innovation, H eart, and T eamwork. TAB offers a variety of benefits to include : 403(b) retirement plan; health insurance; dental insurance; vision insurance; employee assistance program; life insurance; paid time off; paid holidays; employee appreciation events; and more.

    Responsibilities

    • Operates power sewing machines to sew, alter or repair wearing apparel, backpacks and other fabric articles.
    • Alters article according to alteration ticket, fitter's pins, chalk marks, or verbal instructions.
    • Locates defects, and repairs article, including ripping of seams and matching sizes and colors of replacement parts.
    • May operate automatic sewing machines, utilizing knowledge of threading machines, winding bobbins, adjusting tension, and oiling parts.
    • Work is reviewed for accuracy, neatness, and to determine if instructions have been followed.
    • Inspect apparel, backpacks and other articles to determine where repairs are need and re-inspect finished article to determine if repairs are complete and meet the standards. (Indirect)
    • Inserts or eliminates padding in shoulders, and tapers seams without distorting the product

    and proportions of the garment.

    • Resews garment, using needle and thread or sewing machine.
    • Repairs or replaces defective garment parts such as snaps, zippers, buttons, buckles,

    pockets, pocket flaps and coat linings.

    • Maintains adequate stock of supplies, equipment and working area.
    • May supervise activities of sewing machine operator or other related workers.
    • Complies with and assists other employees understand and comply with TAB's Safety and Security policies and guidelines.
    • Behaves in accordance with the key behaviors aligned with TAB's Core Values of Leadership, Integrity, Growth & Innovation, Heart and Teamwork (LIGHT).
    • Other duties as assigned

    The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

    • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control and techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
    • Monitoring the performance of yourself to make improvements or take corrective action
    • The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
    • The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine to exact positions.
    • The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
    • The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
    • The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
    • Able to read, comprehend and understand information and ideas presented in writing or in alternative form
    • Able to multitask, prioritize, and manage time efficiently
    • Demonstrates sound work ethics
    • Possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity

    Supervisory Responsibility

    • None

    Communication & Contacts Required

    • Employees, departments, & managers

    Decision Making/Judgment Required

    • Makes decisions as per Standard Operation Procedures and Company Policies

    Minimum Education and Experience

    • Highschool diploma or equivalent

    Physical Requirements

    With or without reasonable accommodation, employees in this position must be able to:

    • The ability to sit for 7-8 hours a day
    • The ability to lift 20lbs items/products repeatedly
    • Prolonged periods of working on a sewing machine
    • Ability to bend, stoop, squat, adjust position for 20% of time
    • Ability to work in conditions with varying temperature, including cold and/or heat
    • Ability to focus on small stiches/sewing for 6-8 hours a day

    ADDITIONAL NOTES:

    • Background Check and Drug Screen required
    • Confirmation of COVID-19 Vaccination Status (or approve Accommodation Request)
    • Internal and external applicants accepted
    • Verifiable documentation of ability to work in the US

    Blind and visually impaired individuals are encouraged to apply

    TRAVIS ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

    TAB provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, TAB complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

    EEO is the law. To review your rights under Equal Employment Opportunity, please visit: www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf



    Job Posted by ApplicantPro
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find alteration specialists for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your alteration specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit alteration specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with alteration specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new alteration specialist

    Once you've found the alteration specialist candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new alteration specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an alteration specialist?

Recruiting alteration specialists involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Alteration specialists earn a median yearly salary is $37,091 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find alteration specialists for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $11 and $28.

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