Pattern maker vs pattern designer

The differences between pattern makers and pattern designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a pattern maker, becoming a pattern designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a pattern maker has an average salary of $57,140, which is higher than the $50,191 average annual salary of a pattern designer.

The top three skills for a pattern maker include sketch, CAD and CNC. The most important skills for a pattern designer are textile, pattern design, and adobe photoshop.

Pattern maker vs pattern designer overview

	Pattern Maker	Pattern Designer
Yearly salary	$57,140	$50,191
Hourly rate	$27.47	$24.13
Growth rate	-5%	3%
Number of jobs	7,387	44,235
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	47	38
Years of experience	6	12

Pattern maker vs pattern designer salary

Pattern makers and pattern designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pattern Maker	Pattern Designer
Average salary	$57,140	$50,191
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $93,000	Between $32,000 And $76,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	Washington
Best paying company	General Motors	Lands' End
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between pattern maker and pattern designer education

There are a few differences between a pattern maker and a pattern designer in terms of educational background:

	Pattern Maker	Pattern Designer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Graphic Design
Most common college	Cornell University	University of Pennsylvania

Pattern maker vs pattern designer demographics

Here are the differences between pattern makers' and pattern designers' demographics:

	Pattern Maker	Pattern Designer
Average age	47	38
Gender ratio	Male, 56.2% Female, 43.8%	Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 17.3% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	11%	13%

Differences between pattern maker and pattern designer duties and responsibilities

Pattern maker example 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.

Pattern designer example responsibilities.

Develop marketing and brand awareness initiatives through social media outlets; create and manage company Facebook and Houzz profiles.
Recommend product design options for both team sports and basic activewear items.
Create patterns, sketches and technical drawings for textile & home decor collections.
Create conceptual designs for capsule collections for emerging designers ranging from luxury women s contemporary to men s activewear.
Design unique textile patterns specific to compression garments.
Develop Contermporary collections with Roberto through sketching, and patternmaking.

Pattern maker vs pattern designer skills

Common pattern maker skills

Sketch, 22%
CAD, 9%
CNC, 9%
Blueprint Specifications, 6%
Tech Packs, 6%
Apparel, 5%

Common pattern designer skills

Textile, 41%
Pattern Design, 30%
Adobe Photoshop, 16%
Photography, 14%

Pattern Maker vs. similar jobs

Pattern Maker related careers

Pattern Maker related jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse production and manufacturing jobs