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Fashion designer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$80,960median pay per year, or $38.92 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $39,490lowest 10% earn less
  2. $51,94025th percentile
  3. $80,960median
  4. $106,47075th percentile
  5. $146,870top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[2]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A fashion designer earned a median of $80,960 a year in May 2025, but pay varied a lot from one designer to the next[1][2]. BLS projects 0.1% job growth from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.1%[3]
Openings per year
2,500[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do fashion designers make?

The median wage for fashion designers was $80,960 a year, or $38.92 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was higher, at $91,230 a year, or $43.86 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,490 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $146,870[2]. The 25th percentile was $51,940 and the 75th was $106,470[2]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $18.99 and the 90th was $70.61[9]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. That matters here, because 35.7% of fashion designers were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Among states with published data, Massachusetts had the highest median, at $103,520 a year[13]. New Jersey followed at $101,610, then New Hampshire at $100,160[13]. Texas had the lowest listed median, at $40,040[13].

California had the most jobs, with 6,470[14]. New York had 5,760, Texas 1,850, Florida 1,100 and Oregon 860[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH had the highest median, at $106,630[15]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was next at $102,370[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area had the most jobs, at 5,540, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had 5,050[16].

Show median pay in 23 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[13]$103,520540
New Jersey$101,610160
New Hampshire$100,16040
New York$98,6405,760
Colorado$94,140360
Virginia$94,120100
Ohio$82,05090
Washington$82,030n/a
Connecticut$81,51050
Vermont$79,61060
Georgia$78,340120
North Carolina$74,990460
Pennsylvania$63,840320
Michigan$63,43040
Kansas$59,15040
Wisconsin$57,030120
Maine$49,53030
Hawaii$47,990n/a
Arizona$45,720n/a
Florida$43,0201,100
Minnesota$42,110420
Indiana$40,740120
Texas$40,0401,850

How to become a fashion designer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no work experience or on-the-job training needed[7]. In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 51% said a bachelor's degree was required and 44% said an associate's degree or other 2-year degree[17].

Schools often ask applicants for sketches and other samples of artistic ability, and for basic art and design courses first[21]. Employers may prefer creative candidates who know how clothing, accessories or footwear are produced[22].

What fashion designers do

Fashion designers design clothing and accessories. They create original designs or adapt trends[23]. Common tasks include:

The OOH lists artistic ability, communication, computer skills, creativity, decision-making and attention to detail as important qualities[25][26][27][28][29][30].

Where they work

Many fashion designers are employed in-house by wholesalers or manufacturers that sell apparel and accessories to retailers[31]. Self-employed designers typically create high-fashion or custom clothing, and some have a clothing line under their own name[32]. The OOH lists self-employed workers as the largest group, at 36%[33].

Most designers go to trade and fashion shows several times a year, and sometimes abroad to meet suppliers and manufacturers[34]. Designers occasionally work long hours to meet production deadlines or prepare for shows. Freelancers are usually under contract and often have long workdays shaped by client schedules[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 32,700 to 32,800 jobs[3]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[4]. That count includes self-employed workers[3].

About 2,500 openings a year are projected[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 4.6% move to a different occupation[36].

BLS names one factor, rising demand for a steady flow of new designs. It points to social media influencers and to retailers who sell directly to consumers online[37].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the all-occupations median, but the spread is large, from $39,490 at the 10th percentile to $146,870 at the 90th[1][5][2]. Job growth is close to flat, and the openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations[3][6]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry point, and a portfolio and internships help[7][19][20]. Over a third of designers are self-employed, which these wage figures do not capture[12][11]. The facts here do not cover school costs or typical starting pay.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fashion designer make an hour?
The median hourly wage was $38.92 in May 2025[1]. The average was $43.86[8].
What degree do you need to be a fashion designer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[7]. Many study fashion design or fashion merchandising[18].
Is fashion design in demand?
BLS projects 0.1% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][4]. About 2,500 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for fashion designers?
Massachusetts had the highest median among states with published data, at $103,520 a year[13].
How many fashion designers are self-employed?
BLS reports that 35.7% were self-employed in 2025[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Fashion Designers in the US was $80,960 per year and $38.92 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Fashion Designers: 10th percentile $39,490, 25th percentile $51,940, 75th percentile $106,470, 90th percentile $146,870. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Fashion Designers is projected to grow 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 32,700 to 32,800 jobs (a change of +0). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,500 openings for Fashion Designers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Fashion Designers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Fashion Designers was $91,230 per year and $43.86 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Fashion Designers: 10th percentile $18.99, 25th percentile $24.97, 75th percentile $51.19, 90th percentile $70.61. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 35.7% of Fashion Designers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Fashion Designers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Fashion Designers jobs: California 6,470; New York 5,760; Texas 1,850; Florida 1,100; Oregon 860. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Fashion Designers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $106,630; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,370; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $99,560; Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $99,420; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $96,760; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $82,130; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $82,010; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $78,890. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Fashion Designers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 5,540 (median $99,560); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 5,050; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 590 (median $63,210); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 480 (median $106,630); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 450 (median $102,370); San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA 320 (median $82,010). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. O*NET 27-1022.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 51%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 44% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Fashion Designers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Fashion Designers. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of fashion designers in 2025: Self-employed workers 36%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Fashion Designers: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Fashion Designers: Demand change - share increases as an expected increase in demand for a constant flow of new fashion designs has been accelerated by social media influencers and by retailers advertising and selling directly to consumers online. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.