How much does a fashion designer make?
Answer: A typical fashion designer in the United States makes $80,960 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 21,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Fashion designer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $39,490 | $80,960 | $146,870 | about 21,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $103,520 | about 540 |
| New York | $98,640 | about 6,000 |
| Florida | $43,020 | about 1,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., fashion designers’ pay can differ with experience and skill, location, and employer type, such as a clothing company, retailer, or film business. Some specialize in clothing, shoes, accessories, or costumes; more complex or responsible work may pay more. Deadlines can also bring longer hours.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a fashion designer do?
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
What's a typical day like?
They check trends, sketch designs on a computer, and choose fabrics and colors. They review sample garments, adjust designs with teammates, and may show samples to buyers or at fashion shows.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a bachelor’s degree is the usual route; studying fashion design can teach you about fabrics, sewing, and how clothes are made. Build a portfolio of sketches and projects, and seek internships while you’re in school.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like creating and building and doing.
Did you know?
A designer’s workday can end just as factories on the other side of the world start making the clothes they designed.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/fashion-designers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/interview/fashion-designer.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-1022.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY