How much does a fashion designer make?
The median fashion designer in the United States earns $80,960 per year, about $38.92 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fashion designers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-1022.
Fashion designer salary range
Pay for fashion designers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,490 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $146,870. The average (mean) wage of $91,230 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,490 | $18.99 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $51,940 | $24.97 | |
| Median (50th) | $80,960 | $38.92 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $106,470 | $51.19 | |
| 90th percentile | $146,870 | $70.61 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fashion designers (SOC 27-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Fashion designer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fashion designers earn the most in Massachusetts at $103,520 a year, and the least in Texas at $40,040. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $103,520 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $101,610 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $100,160 | 40 |
| New York | $98,640 | 5,760 |
| Colorado | $94,140 | 360 |
| Virginia | $94,120 | 100 |
| Ohio | $82,050 | 90 |
| Washington | $82,030 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $81,510 | 50 |
| Vermont | $79,610 | 60 |
| Georgia | $78,340 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $74,990 | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,840 | 320 |
| Michigan | $63,430 | 40 |
| Kansas | $59,150 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $57,030 | 120 |
| Maine | $49,530 | 30 |
| Hawaii | $47,990 | N/A |
| Arizona | $45,720 | N/A |
| Florida | $43,020 | 1,100 |
| Minnesota | $42,110 | 420 |
| Indiana | $40,740 | 120 |
| Texas | $40,040 | 1,850 |
State median wages for fashion designers (SOC 27-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for fashion designers
The BLS projects employment of fashion designers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,500 openings a year for fashion designers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a fashion designer
The typical entry-level education for fashion designers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a fashion designer earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $103,520) and the lowest (Texas, $40,040) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 21,450 people work as fashion designers in the United States. At $80,960 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Fashion designer salary FAQ
How much does a fashion designer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a fashion designer is $38.92. The middle half of fashion designers earn between $24.97 and $51.19 per hour.
What is the highest fashion designer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fashion designers earn more than $146,870 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a fashion designer make a year?
The median annual salary for a fashion designer is $80,960. The average (mean) wage of $91,230 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a fashion designer a well paid job?
At $80,960 a year, a fashion designer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 21,450 people work as fashion designers in the United States.
Which state pays fashion designers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for fashion designers at $103,520 a year. New Jersey ($101,610) and New Hampshire ($100,160) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a fashion designer a good career?
Employment of fashion designers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a fashion designer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fashion designers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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