💡 Why it matters: Clothes are always needed, and brands, schools and events constantly look for well-made garments. Skilled tailors often grow into designers and business owners.
🌍 Around the world
- Nigeria: Nigerian fashion is famous around the world.
💰 What it can pay
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Starting out
- ₦500k – ₦1.5M
- Mid-career
- ₦1.8M – ₦4.5M
- Senior
- ₦4.5M – ₦12M
≈ ₦150k – ₦375k a month mid-career. Indicative estimate by Incusim.
🇺🇸 United States
Closest US category: Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers. Median pay; low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
🇨🇦 Canada
Job Bank category: Tailor. Hourly wage low/median/high x 2,080 hours. Job Bank (Government of Canada), 2023-2024
Yearly pay before tax. UK, US and Canada figures come from the official sources named on each card. Nigeria has no official salary survey, so those are our indicative estimates. Real pay depends on the employer, the place, your skills and experience.
🛠️ What you actually do
- Take measurements and draw patterns
- Cut and sew clothes with precision
- Finish garments with neat details
- Manage orders and deadlines
- Work with designers and customers on style
⚡ Skills you'll need
- Creativity
- Hands-on skill
- Attention to detail
- Customer care
- Time management
Get ready at school
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Apprenticeship with an experienced tailor or fashion house
- Short courses in pattern making and industrial sewing
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Apprenticeship with a tailor or fashion house
- Short courses in pattern cutting and sewing
🇺🇸 United States
- Apprenticeship or job with a tailor or alterations shop
- Short courses in sewing and pattern making
🇨🇦 Canada
- Job with a tailor, alterations shop or manufacturer
- Short courses in pattern making and sewing
🗺️ Your path to this career
- 1Practise sewing and drawing early
- 2Do an apprenticeship or a fashion design course
- 3Learn pattern making and quality finishing
- 4Build a portfolio of your best pieces
- 5Start your own label or workshop
⏰ A day in the life
You take a customer's measurements for a wedding outfit, then cut the fabric carefully using a pattern you drew. You sew all afternoon and finish by checking every seam before the customer arrives for a fitting.