Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Production
Pressing and shaping garments and other textile pieces so they come out smooth and formed to size. Day to day, that means straightening items, then running steam or hydraulic presses—or a hand iron—to take out wrinkles, set pleats from old marks or work orders, or shrink, stretch, and block articles back to their measurements. Spots are identified and treated. Finished pieces come off the machine to hang or stack for cooling, then get folded, packaged, and tagged. Suits people who like precise, hands-on machine work and catching flaws before items go out.
Typical education: Less than a High School Diploma
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$35'060
Median Wage Market Position
$35'060
What you might do
- Press garments and linens on steam machines
- Smooth fabric so it lies flat for pressing
- Set pleats with a press or iron
- Shape pieces with steam to original size
- Find and treat spots on garments
- Fold, package, and tag finished articles
Skills that matter
- Steam and hydraulic press operation
- Hand smoothing before each press
- Pleat recreation from old crease lines
- Spot treatment on garments and flatwork
- Hand blocking to original measurements
- Diagnosing poor press results on garments
AI & the future of this role
Pressing machines can already handle many standard garments, and smarter equipment may cover more of that volume. Delicate fabrics, tailored pieces, and finish quality still depend on practiced hands and visual judgment.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details