Tailor Salary in Pakistan (2026)
Sews and alters clothing, often working independently or for a boutique/shop.
- National average: PKR 24,833 per month across 12 cities.
- Highest-paying city: Karachi (PKR 35,000).
- Lowest-paying city: Sargodha (PKR 19,000).
- Full range: PKR 15,000 to PKR 56,000 per month.
- Take-home at the average: about PKR 24,833 per month after FY 2026-27 income tax.
Pay for a Tailor in Pakistan depends heavily on where you work. The same role earns about 84% more in Karachi than in Sargodha, and experience, employer type and skills widen the gap further. This page brings together city-by-city pay, take-home after tax, the skills employers look for and the career path, so you can benchmark an offer or plan your next move.
What does a Tailor do?
A tailor measures, cuts and stitches garments, including men's shalwar kameez and suits, women's formal and bridal wear, and alterations. Tailors work in boutiques, shops, workshops and garment factories, or run their own stitching businesses, and demand peaks around Eid and wedding seasons.
Skills, tools and qualifications
Precise measuring, pattern making, sewing machine skills, finishing and an eye for fit are essential. Knowing current fashion, working to deadlines and clear communication with customers build reputation. Embroidery or bridal expertise is a premium skill.
Career path and promotion
Tailors can become master tailors, boutique owners or garment production supervisors. Many train apprentices and expand into ready-to-wear production.
What drives Tailor pay?
Reputation, skill level and season drive earnings. Master tailors with a loyal clientele and bridal specialists earn the most, while factory pieceworkers earn according to output.
How to become a Tailor in Pakistan
- Learn the trade through a technical institute, a recognised training programme or an apprenticeship with an experienced worker.
- Practise until your work is neat, safe and consistent, and keep your tools in good order.
- Get a trade certificate or licence where relevant, since it raises trust and pay.
- Find work through agencies, contractors, referrals and local networks, and agree pay and hours clearly in advance.
- Build a reputation for reliability and good behaviour so customers recommend you.
- Aim for supervisory work or your own small business, or consider certified overseas opportunities.
Common interview questions for Tailor roles
- What experience do you have in this trade?
- How do you make sure your work is safe and meets standards?
- How do you handle a customer who is unhappy with the result?
- Are you comfortable with the working hours and shifts?
- Can you give a reference from a previous employer or customer?
Tailor Salary by City
| City | Average Salary | Range | Demand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karachi | PKR 35,000/mo | PKR 23,000 – PKR 56,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Karachi → |
| Islamabad | PKR 35,000/mo | PKR 23,000 – PKR 56,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Islamabad → |
| Lahore | PKR 32,000/mo | PKR 21,000 – PKR 51,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Lahore → |
| Rawalpindi | PKR 29,000/mo | PKR 19,000 – PKR 46,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Rawalpindi → |
| Sialkot | PKR 23,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 37,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Sialkot → |
| Faisalabad | PKR 22,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 35,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Faisalabad → |
| Gujranwala | PKR 22,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 35,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Gujranwala → |
| Peshawar | PKR 21,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 34,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Peshawar → |
| Hyderabad | PKR 21,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 34,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Hyderabad → |
| Multan | PKR 20,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 32,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Multan → |
| Quetta | PKR 19,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 30,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Quetta → |
| Sargodha | PKR 19,000/mo | PKR 15,000 – PKR 30,000 | Low | Tailor salary in Sargodha → |
Take-Home Pay: What a Tailor Actually Receives
Income tax for salaried people is withheld monthly. Under the FY 2026-27 slabs, the first Rs 600,000 a year is tax-free, then rates climb from 1% to 35%. The table converts the national average, the lowest city average and the highest city average into estimated monthly take-home pay.
| Scenario | Gross / month | Tax / month | Take-home / month | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National average | PKR 24,833 | PKR 0 | PKR 24,833 | 0.0% |
| Lowest city average (Sargodha) | PKR 19,000 | PKR 0 | PKR 19,000 | 0.0% |
| Highest city average (Karachi) | PKR 35,000 | PKR 0 | PKR 35,000 | 0.0% |
Try your own figure in the salary tax calculator. It also shows how much the 2026-27 slabs save compared with last year.
General Careers: What Employers Pay For
General and skilled-trade occupations, from drivers and security guards to electricians, plumbers, tailors, cooks and beauticians, employ a very large share of Pakistan's workers. Many work informally, so earnings vary widely by employer, city and individual skill, and some reported figures fall below the legal minimum wage.
What employers pay for
Reliability, trade skill and reputation. Certified or well-known tradespeople earn far more than casual workers, and specialised skills such as solar installation, bridal makeup, industrial electrical work or executive driving are rewarded. Employers covered by minimum wage law must pay at least the notified rate for full-time unskilled work in their province.
How to negotiate
Agree pay, hours, overtime, leave and any allowances clearly, ideally in writing. Ask for payment on time and keep a record of attendance. Skilled workers can improve their position by getting a recognised trade certificate and building a reputation through references and repeat customers.
Where growth comes from
Upgrade your skill through technical training (such as DAE or trade certificates), learn to use modern tools and customer-facing apps, and aim for supervisory or self-employed roles. Many tradespeople move from wages to running their own service business, and overseas jobs in the Gulf offer higher pay for certified workers.
Related General Salaries
If you are comparing paths within general, these related roles show where Tailor sits against its peers, using the national average across the cities we track.
| Role | National average / month | Compared with Tailor |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | PKR 35,000 | +41% |
| Cook / Chef | PKR 35,000 | +41% |
| Plumber | PKR 32,416 | +31% |
| Receptionist | PKR 29,500 | +19% |
| Beautician | PKR 29,500 | +19% |
| Driver | PKR 27,250 | +10% |
| Office Assistant | PKR 24,833 | +0% |
| Security Guard | PKR 21,583 | -13% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tailor Salaries
What is the average Tailor salary in Pakistan?
Across the 12 cities we track, the average Tailor salary is about PKR 24,833 per month. The typical range runs from PKR 15,000 at the low end to PKR 56,000 for experienced professionals, depending on city, employer and skills.
Which city pays the highest Tailor salary?
Karachi pays the most in our data at about PKR 35,000 per month, while Sargodha is lowest at about PKR 19,000. That is a gap of roughly 84%, driven by employer concentration and cost of living.
What is the take-home salary of a Tailor in Pakistan?
At the national average of PKR 24,833 per month, estimated federal income tax under the FY 2026-27 slabs is about PKR 0 a month, leaving roughly PKR 24,833 in take-home pay (an effective tax rate of 0.0%). EOBI, provident fund and other deductions are extra.
How much does an entry-level Tailor earn?
Entry-level Tailor professionals typically start near the bottom of the local range, often between PKR 15,000 and a little under the city average, with the exact figure depending on the city, the employer's size and the skills you bring at hiring.
Is Tailor a well-paid career in Pakistan?
Compared with the General category, Tailor pays in line with its peer group. Whether it is well paid for you depends on your city, your experience and whether you can move into higher-value skills or leadership.
Where can I find Tailor jobs in Pakistan?
Start with the large job boards, company career pages and LinkedIn, and use the city salary pages here to check whether an offer is competitive. Smaller cities often advertise through local networks and referrals, so building contacts in your industry matters.
Do Tailor salaries change with experience?
Yes, and by a lot. Pay usually rises in stages: entry level, then mid-level at roughly three to six years, then senior roles from about seven years. Specialisation, certifications and leadership responsibility add further steps above the experience curve.
How reliable are these salary figures?
They are estimates compiled from general market observation and updated periodically, not an official survey. Use them as a benchmark when negotiating and compare against current job adverts and offers in your city.