How to hire a pattern maker

How to hire a pattern maker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step pattern maker hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the pattern maker you need to hire. Certain pattern maker roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A pattern maker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, pattern makers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of pattern makers.

   Type of Pattern Maker	Description	Hourly rate
   Pattern Maker		$16-44

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sketch
   • CAD
   • CNC
   • Blueprint Specifications
   • Tech Packs
   • Apparel
   • Core Boxes
   • Garment Construction
   • Production Patterns
   • Patternmaking
   • Customer Specifications
   • Production Issues
   • Coats
   • Nits

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage team processes and production of costumes with other pattern makers and technical designers to ensure deadlines are meet.
   • Design and create women's apparel production patterns including dresses, tops, pants, and jackets.
   • Knock offs, draping, and digitizing.
   • Work with Lesage embroidery and Lemarie feather supplier.
   • Plot markers stencils for contractor's cutting production.
   • Work with denim and twills for bottoms and jeans.

   More pattern maker duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the pattern maker job description is a good way to get more applicants. A pattern maker salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a pattern maker in Wisconsin may be lower than in Pennsylvania, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level pattern maker. Additionally, a pattern maker with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average pattern maker salary

   $57,140yearly

   $27.47 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level pattern maker salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average pattern maker salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$82,705	$40
   2	Michigan	$79,977	$38
   3	Delaware	$76,607	$37
   4	Rhode Island	$75,831	$36
   5	Ohio	$74,047	$36
   6	California	$71,471	$34
   7	Minnesota	$70,649	$34
   8	North Carolina	$70,146	$34
   9	Tennessee	$65,511	$32
   10	Virginia	$49,758	$24
   11	Indiana	$46,071	$22

   Average pattern maker salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	General Motors	$103,961	$49.98	10
   2	Xylem	$79,930	$38.43
   3	Ralph Lauren	$61,268	$29.46
   4	Spark Talent Acquisition	$60,010	$28.85
   5	Pyramid Case Co	$59,057	$28.39
   6	HNI	$58,512	$28.13
   7	University of Delaware	$57,241	$27.52
   8	Amer Sports	$53,061	$25.51
   9	Harrison Steel	$52,546	$25.26	4
   10	McWane	$50,673	$24.36
   11	Wilson	$42,713	$20.54
   12	Area Temps	$34,740	$16.70	4

4. Writing a pattern maker job description

   A pattern maker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a pattern maker job description:

   Pattern maker job description example

   VENUS is a leading women’s fashion brand offering clothing, swimwear, and lingerie in sizes 2-24. Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, VENUS’ unique products inspire Fun. Sexy. Style. and help our customers to make an impression in every moment of their lives.

   This role is an opportunity to join a growing organization with transparent leadership and to work in an innovative environment with other passionate and hard-working people. Sustainability, diversity, and inclusion are core values of our brand and are central to the company’s engaging culture. If you would like to be part of our inclusive, forward-thinking, and collaborative team, we encourage you to apply today!

   The Pattern Maker demonstrates expertise and knowledge in apparel patternmaking techniques, concepts, practices, and procedures across multiple product categories. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish departmental goals. The candidate will have proven success in an apparel patternmaking and design environment or in a related field.

   RESPONSIBILITIES

   • Assists in the execution of fit from development through production
   • Attends fit sessions to review overall fit, balance, and details of the garment from prototype thru the production of the garment
   • Maintains consistency in fit and quality standards, works with the design team to troubleshoot and correct fit problems
   • Manages workload based on calendar due dates and production deadlines

   Experience

   • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment in multiple categories while maintaining a high level of quality and accuracy
   • Ability to solve complex pattern issues with efficiency and accuracy
   • Must possess strong grading knowledge for the ideal fit
   • Must have experience in Accumark/Gerber software
   • Must have experience in 3D design
   • Must be familiar with Illustrator/Adobe/Snagit knowledge to relay complex amendments quickly
   • Candidates should possess strong communication skills, attention to detail, and organization and must be able to work well in a team setting.

   Education:

   Degree in fashion design, BFA preferred, or certification from an accredited college

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right pattern maker for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your pattern maker job on Zippia to find and recruit pattern maker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting pattern makers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 pattern maker

   Once you've decided on a perfect pattern maker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new pattern maker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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