Fashion Designer Salary
Fashion Designers earn a median $80,960 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What fashion designers do
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.1% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,500
- Self-employed
- 36%
Employment of fashion designers is projected to grow 0.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Fashion Designer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,981
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,020
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,174
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$65,785
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,490 | $18.99 | $33,910 |
| 25th percentile | $51,940 | $24.97 | $43,914 |
| Median (50th) | $80,960 | $38.92 | $65,785 |
| 75th percentile | $106,470 | $51.19 | $83,732 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,870 | $70.61 | $111,652 |
Best cities for fashion designers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $99,560 | $74,037 | $65,774 | 5,540 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $99,560
Fashion Designer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $103,520 | +4.2% | $76,700 | $57,710 – $174,250 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $101,610 | +20.9% | $76,030 | $65,790 – $132,470 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $100,160 | +13.5% | $79,293 | $64,430 – $131,920 | 40 |
| New York | $98,640 | +2.3% | $73,444 | $62,610 – $177,430 | 5,760 |
| Colorado | $94,140 | +9.9% | $71,624 | $59,180 – $132,990 | 360 |
| Virginia | $94,120 | +9.6% | $70,446 | $50,410 – $118,490 | 100 |
| Ohio | $82,050 | +39.6% | $65,078 | $43,820 – $93,070 | 90 |
| Washington | $82,030 | +5.2% | $66,538 | $55,080 – $136,830 | — |
| Connecticut | $81,510 | +5.8% | $63,264 | $45,040 – $194,570 | 50 |
| Vermont | $79,610 | — | $62,042 | $50,940 – $99,810 | 60 |
| Georgia | $78,340 | +7.2% | $60,499 | $48,860 – $152,970 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $74,990 | +0.2% | $59,102 | $32,280 – $195,590 | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,840 | −19.1% | $51,516 | $48,520 – $133,820 | 320 |
| Michigan | $63,430 | — | $50,701 | $31,800 – $102,330 | 40 |
| Kansas | $59,150 | +8.7% | $47,206 | $48,860 – $104,620 | 40 |
| Wisconsin | $57,030 | +50.9% | $46,275 | $37,950 – $75,770 | 120 |
| Maine | $49,530 | — | $39,816 | $31,770 – $124,210 | 30 |
| Hawaii | $47,990 | — | $38,601 | $43,100 – $74,990 | — |
| Arizona | $45,720 | +5.8% | $37,982 | $38,830 – $61,650 | — |
| Florida | $43,020 | −2.0% | $36,747 | $27,710 – $82,330 | 1,100 |
| Minnesota | $42,110 | +5.2% | $34,581 | $42,110 – $56,080 | 420 |
| Indiana | $40,740 | −22.3% | $33,742 | $39,190 – $85,580 | 120 |
| Texas | $40,040 | — | $34,352 | $28,170 – $98,620 | 1,850 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $83,910 | Bachelor's degree | +2.4% |
| Set and Exhibit Designer | $75,240 | Bachelor's degree | +1.4% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree | -1.7% |
| Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer | $39,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.7% |
| Floral Designer | $37,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $71,240 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $102,030 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fashion designer make?
The national median salary for fashion designers is $80,960 a year ($38.92 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,490 and the top 10% earn over $146,870. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays fashion designers the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $103,520. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many fashion designers are there in the U.S.?
About 21,450 people work as fashion designers nationwide.