How much does a fashion designer make?
a year · about $39 an hour
A typical fashion designer in the United States makes $80,960 a year, about $39 an hour, about 1.6× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
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.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $39,490 and $146,870How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like creating and building and doing
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($103,520), lowest in Texas ($40,040).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| 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 Jersey | $101,610 | about 160 |
| New Hampshire | $100,160 | about 40 |
| New York | $98,640 | about 6,000 |
| Colorado | $94,140 | about 360 |
Official definition: Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
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