Introduction
It’s very unpleasant to picture a world without textiles, apparel, fashion, and colors. That’s the magic of fashion and colors that make the world attractive. The rapid acceptance of fashion sense is a major factor in the fashion industry’s rapid expansion. The fashion design industry in the US is flourishing and growing right now, and everything looks different from the previous era. Let us know ‘Salaries For A Fashion Designer’.

Salaries For A Fashion Designer
According to figures from the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the fashion business in the United States alone had a value of USD 400 billion in 2019. The fashion industry has come a long way from using conventional fashion and apparel shops to owning a website and gaining customers online.
According to US News, fashion designer jobs rank 22nd among the best business jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of fashion designers in 2021 was $77,450 per year, and their per-hour wage was $33.74. Furthermore, fashion designer jobs are approximately to grow by 3%, which is lower than the average rate but expected to grow in the future. The highest salary of a fashion designer is recorded at nearly $200,000 per year and the lowest salary is recorded at nearly $35,000 per year.
The average salary of a fashion designer in the US:
On average, a fashion designer in the US can earn anywhere from $45,000 to $150,000 or more per year. Although starting pay for fashion designers tends to be very low overall, it varies greatly from firm to firm and between salaried designers and those who work for themselves. According to BLS, as of May 2019, the median average salary for full-time fashion designers was $73,790 annually, and the lowest salary for fashion designers was $37,260 annually.
Skills affecting the salary of a fashion designer:
As fashion designers, several skills greatly affect their salary, career, and growth opportunities in the future.
- Artistic ability
- Creativity and invention
- Excellent sense of the material
- Design and visualization abilities
- Computer-aided (CAD)
- Commercial awareness
- Networking, and interpersonal abilities
- Teamwork abilities
- Organizational skills
- Time management
Salary of an experienced fashion designer:
An experienced fashion designer has the experience of at least five years in designing color, fabric, fashion, pattern, and sketching, and the ability to catch the customer’s eye. An experienced fashion designer in the US can earn nearly $120,000–150,000 annually.
Salary for a junior fashion designer:
Like other industries in the fashion industry, fashion designers’ salaries differ because of their experience in this field. An entry-level or fresh fashion designer who is new in the market can approximately earn nearly $37,000 annually.
Top fashion design companies in the United States:
- Ralph Lauren Corporation
- Nike
- GAP
- Michael Kors
- Coach
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Levis
- Adidas
- Old navy
Factors affecting the salary of fashion designers:
These are some important factors that affect a fashion designer’s salary
- Education
- Training
- Knowledge in the field of fashion design
- level of experience
- Location
- Creativity and innovation
- Other soft skills
Ways of increasing the salary of a fashion designer:
Fashion designers must be highly creative and have the necessary technical skills, which leads to an increase in salary. Your efforts in the fashion industry will be noticed and spoken highly of. There have been situations where brilliant brains have outperformed and earned a lot of money. As a fashion designer, your portfolio will stand out if you complete a graduation or post-graduate study in fashion design, which is in high demand for bright fashionistas.
Your ability to quickly scale new heights depends on your general commercial acumen in the fashion industry. You can work as an independent designer and launch your brand; this helps you capture direct revenues.
Salary according to the year of experience:
The salaries of a fashion designer may vary greatly depending on their individual experience, creativity, and qualifications. Additionally, designers who work for their high-end fashion brands or own their labels may earn more than those who work for smaller companies or retail chains. Starting salaries for entry-level fashion designers who don’t have any experience can earn from $35,000 to $50,000 annually,
Any junior fashion designer with 1-2 years of experience can earn nearly $65,000 annually. Middle-level fashion designers with 3-5 years of experience can earn nearly $80,000 annually. An experienced designer with a strong portfolio and experience between 5 and 7 years in the industry can earn more than $100,000 annually. Senior fashion designers, creative directors, and lead designers that have experience spanning more than 7 years can earn salaries between $150,000 to $200,000 annually.
Top-paying industries in the United States to fashion designers:
Motion picture and video production:
A fashion designer in this industry can earn nearly $109,060 annually, and their per-hour salary is $52.43.
Management industry:
A fashion designer in the management industry can earn nearly $92,870 annually, and their per-hour salary is $44.65.
Employment service industry:
A fashion designer in the employment service industry can earn nearly $92,650 annually, and their per-hour salary is $44.49
Clothing Industry:
A fashion designer in the clothing industry can earn nearly $92,540 annually, and their per-hour salary is $44.49
Apparel, goods, and other supporting products:
A fashion designer in this industry can earn nearly $91,200 annually, and their per-hour salary is $43.53.
Specialized design services:
A fashion designer in this field can earn nearly $89,620 annually, and their per-hour salary is $43.09.
Production industry of cutting and sewing apparel:
A fashion designer in this field can earn nearly $74,340 annually, and their per-hour salary is $35.74.
Fashion designer’s salary in different states:
Washington:
The average salary of a fashion designer in Washington is nearly $92,400 annually.
California:
The average median salary of a fashion designer in California is nearly $92,360 annually.
New York:
The average salary of a fashion designer in New York is nearly $92,180 annually.
New Hampshire:
The average salary of a fashion designer is nearly $91,440 annually.
Oregon:
The average salary of a fashion designer in Oregon is nearly $87,890 annually.
Conclusion:
The salaries of a fashion designer in the United States varies depending on several factors such as location, experience, size of the company, etc. Influencers on social media and retailers marketing and selling directly to customers online have intensified the demand for the supply of new fashion designs. Customers’ demand for sustainable solutions is increasing in the fashion industry, sparking demand for eco- and vegan-friendly material-friendly designs.
FAQ:
- Is learning fashion design worthwhile?
Yes, if you want to have a fulfilling career that pushes you outside of your comfort zone and don’t want to work in a comfortable setting, studying fashion design is a fantastic choice.
- What age is ideal for developing clothing?
At the age of 17 or 18, you can become a successful and well-known designer if you have the drive to work hard. Many young people are eager to become famous and wealthy at a young age. Nothing about it bothers me. Nowadays, it is conceivable but not easy to become a fashion designer at a young age.
- What city is regarded as the fashion capital of the US?
The hubs of the American fashion business are New York City and, to a lesser extent, Los Angeles. They are regarded as major centers for fashion. Along with Paris, Milan, and London, New York City is regarded as one of the “big four” global fashion capitals.