Apparel & Textile Manufacturing Careers
Apparel and textile manufacturing produces clothing and fabric products. Mostly smaller operations with low credential requirements, though the work is largely on-site and physical.
Jobs per 100K workforce — measures industry density
Apparel and textile manufacturing produces the clothes we wear — there's satisfaction in seeing garments through production, the tangible output, and being part of fashion's supply chain. Many find meaning in making things people use daily.
The challenge can come from offshore competition and margin pressure. Most apparel manufacturing has moved overseas; domestic positions are limited. Remaining operations often serve fast-fashion or specialized niches. Production pressure is constant. Sewing work can be repetitive.
The field varies by product and process. Cut-and-sew operations differ from fabric manufacturing, technical textiles, or design production. Fashion apparel has different dynamics than industrial or uniform manufacturing. Domestic production often focuses on speed or specialty items.
For those who thrive here, the rewards are genuine: making tangible products, seeing garments produced, often accessible entry, and craft in skilled positions. If you enjoy garment work, can accept the industry limitations, and want hands-on manufacturing, apparel offers opportunities in remaining domestic production.
Sewing skills for production. Fashion design programs for design roles. Merchandising and sourcing for business tracks.
Common roles in Apparel & Textile Manufacturing
A curated look at the roles that shape Apparel & Textile Manufacturing — from accessible ways in to senior destinations.
Median salaries range from ~$70K in mid-market metros to ~$104K in top-tier cities. But cost of living closes a lot of that gap — metros with lower regional price parities often offer the best purchasing power.
Is manufacturing hiring right now?
Apparel & Textile Manufacturing is part of manufacturing in the government’s monthly JOLTS report. Compared with the economy as a whole: slower hiring and fewer people quitting. Latest data: September 2026.
See how every industry and region compares → · What JOLTS is and how it’s calculated
What the data says about this sector
Beyond salary and job counts — signals that shape the day-to-day experience of working in Apparel & Textile Manufacturing.
Small
<505%
Mid
50–2491%
Large
250+
Career tracks in Apparel & Textile Manufacturing
How jobs in this sector break down by function, and what they typically pay.
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Common questions about Apparel & Textile Manufacturing careers
What kinds of roles exist in apparel and textile manufacturing?
Product designers and color matchers shape what gets made; production managers, production control managers, and process technicians move styles through cutting, sewing, and finishing; and quality inspectors and lab roles check garments and fabrics against spec.
How many people work in apparel manufacturing?
Federal data puts employment at roughly 78,000 people. Domestic apparel making is a lean industry, concentrated in smaller factories and specialized producers.
What does apparel manufacturing typically pay?
Median pay is around $48,900 a year. Sewing-floor and inspection roles start lower, while designers, engineers, and plant leadership earn more.
Is turnover high in apparel manufacturing?
Across the broader manufacturing sector, about 1.6% of workers quit in a typical month in 2024 — moderate compared with retail or food service.
What are common ways into apparel manufacturing?
Quality inspection, production coordination, and machine maintenance are practical entry points. Design and technical-design roles usually call for fashion or apparel-program training, and floor supervisors are commonly promoted from production.
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Truest editorial: Industry narrative, sector context, career track mapping, working signals analysis.