Fashion Designers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for fashion designers in the U.S. is $80,960 ($38.92 per hour), according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $80,960
- Mean annual wage
- $91,230
- Median hourly wage
- $38.92
- Employment
- 21,450
21,450 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,490 | $18.99 |
| 25th percentile | $51,940 | $24.97 |
| Median (50th) | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| 75th percentile | $106,470 | $51.19 |
| 90th percentile | $146,870 | $70.61 |
Highest-paying states for fashion designers
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — |
| Connecticut | $81,510 | 50 |
| Vermont | $79,610 | 60 |
Lowest-paying states
- Texas: $40,040 median annual wage
- Indiana: $40,740 median annual wage
- Minnesota: $42,110 median annual wage
- Florida: $43,020 median annual wage
- Arizona: $45,720 median annual wage
About this occupation
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Typical tasks
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
- Determine prices for styles.
- Draw patterns for articles designed, cut patterns, and cut material according to patterns, using measuring instruments and scissors.
- Sew together sections of material to form mockups or samples of garments or articles, using sewing equipment.
- Read scripts and consult directors and other production staff to develop design concepts and plan productions.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 4.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 8.5% |
| Some college, no degree | 11.6% |
| Associate's degree | 11.4% |
| Bachelor's degree | 54.6% |
| Master's degree | 7.0% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 2.5% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Public Relations Specialists$74,750
- Coaches and Scouts$47,320
- Graphic Designers$62,960
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$39,390
- Producers and Directors$90,360
- Editors$77,920
- Interior Designers$67,190
- Audio and Video Technicians$58,100
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.