How to hire a seamstress

How to hire a seamstress, step by step

Here's a step-by-step seamstress hiring guide:

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

What does a seamstress do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your seamstress 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 a seamstress 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a seamstress 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 a seamstress that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of seamstresses.

   Type of Seamstress	Description	Hourly rate
   Seamstress		$10-24
   Sewing Machine Operator	A sewing machine operator works at manufacturing establishments where they are in charge of operating sewing machines to produce garment and non-garment products. Before sewing, they usually meet with clients or managers to discuss and learn project requirements, decide on sewing techniques, and identify other client preferences... Show more	$11-18

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Punctuality
   • Industrial Sewing Machines
   • Stitching
   • Embroidery
   • Inventory Control
   • Upholstery
   • Machine Operation
   • Cushions
   • Garment Construction
   • Coats
   • Costumes
   • Double Needle
   • Assembly Line

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Place spools of thread on spindles, insert bobbins, and thread ends through machine guides and components.
   • Sew cushions and upholstery for furniture
   • Deconstruct and reinforce clothing, repair t-shirts, hats, etc.
   • Place spools of thread on spindles, ensure machine is threaded properly.
   • Operate a Juki pattern tact machine and an auto matrix cutting table.
   • Use vinyl plotter to create designs and press on to t-shirts etc.

   More seamstress duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your seamstress job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A seamstress can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, seamstresses' average salary in oklahoma is 49% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level seamstresses 56% less than senior-level seamstresses.
   • Certifications. A seamstress with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a seamstress's salary.

   Average seamstress salary

   $16.21hourly

   $33,724 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level seamstress salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

   Average seamstress salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$41,279	$20
   2	Illinois	$36,086	$17
   3	Nebraska	$35,588	$17
   4	New York	$35,258	$17
   5	California	$34,990	$17
   6	Indiana	$34,104	$16
   7	Michigan	$33,606	$16
   8	Kentucky	$33,363	$16
   9	Ohio	$32,353	$16
   10	Missouri	$32,324	$16
   11	North Carolina	$32,168	$15
   12	Arizona	$31,285	$15
   13	Colorado	$31,263	$15
   14	Nevada	$30,531	$15
   15	Virginia	$29,993	$14
   16	Florida	$27,584	$13
   17	Georgia	$27,449	$13
   18	Tennessee	$26,879	$13
   19	Texas	$26,643	$13

   Average seamstress salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	CoxHealth	$38,544	$18.53
   2	The Walt Disney Company	$38,438	$18.48
   3	Fairmont Schools	$38,234	$18.38	1
   4	Yaamava' Resort & Casino	$37,286	$17.93
   5	Prairie Meadows	$36,317	$17.46
   6	Chinook Winds Casino Resort	$36,264	$17.43
   7	OpSource	$35,808	$17.22
   8	Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts	$34,375	$16.53	3
   9	Hyatt Hotels	$34,194	$16.44
   10	Cintas	$33,529	$16.12	7
   11	Staffworks Group	$33,473	$16.09
   12	AMR	$33,220	$15.97
   13	Monster Products	$33,039	$15.88
   14	County Draperies	$33,009	$15.87
   15	The Agency	$33,009	$15.87
   16	Grc	$32,975	$15.85
   17	Virginia Linen Service	$32,418	$15.59
   18	Montage Hotels & Resorts	$32,331	$15.54
   19	Color Reflections	$32,322	$15.54
   20	Tom James	$32,301	$15.53	2

4. Writing a seamstress job description

   A seamstress 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 seamstress job description:

   Seamstress job description example

   CHANEL is looking for a tailor/seamstress in Norway.
   
   Do you have a flair for fashion and aesthetics, work independently and are very service-oriented? Then we look forward to receiving your application for the position.
   
   As a tailor / seamstress, you are responsible for all changes / adaptations of our garments to our customers and are an ambassador for CHANEL.
   The role is located at our CHANEL Fashion Boutique, Karl Johans Gate 16C in central Oslo and reports directly to the Fashion Boutique Director.
   
   Responsibilities and expectations:
   Independently run and build our fully equipped and newly established studio.Advice to our international clientele in all changes and modification requests.Modification and adaptation of our exclusive prêt-à-porter collections as well as other tasks related to the studio.
   
   Your qualifications and abilities:
   Successfully completed training as a tailor/seamstress.Several years of professional experience in high-quality fashion.Positive attitude, high motivation, and commitment, as well as a pronounced service mentality.Structured and organizational ability as well as high sense of style.Accurate and very independent way of working.Very good knowledge of English is a requirement, other languages are meritorious.
   
   What we offer:
   To be a part of the House of CHANEL and its history.Become an Ambassador for one of the world's most respected and prestigious brands.Lived corporate values: passion, respect, humanity, honesty, and responsibilityA temporary part-time position for 1 year of 25 hours per week with new challenges and varied tasks every day Opportunities for further education and to advance your skill set
   
   We look forward to receiving your complete application documents (cover letter, CV, and portfolio), including information on any possible start date.
   
   About CHANEL
   You will become part of a subsidiary established in 2016 that includes approximately 110 people across Scandinavia. At CHANEL, we offer a unique work environment where you are encouraged to better understand the brand, the business, and your motivation. At CHANEL, the foundation for the success of the employees who defend the values of excellence, creativity, style, and modernity that ensured Coco Chanel's originality in her time and continue to do so today begins. Within CHANEL there is a true "quality culture" where everyone shares the brand's values that they are all proud to represent. CHANEL is a leading luxury goods brand that supports three key businesses: Fashion; Watches and fine jewelry; Fragrance and beauty. Read more on www.chanel.com.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find seamstresses 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 seamstress job on Zippia to find and recruit seamstress candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit seamstresses, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 seamstress

   Once you've decided on a perfect seamstress 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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 a seamstress?