Fashion Designers Salary in U.S.
Fashion Designers in U.S. make a median of $80,690 a year, or about $38.79 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $170K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $81K get you in U.S.?
About fashion designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level fashion designers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K.Top earners bring in $170K or more - a $134K spread from bottom to top.
Fashion Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $143K | +77% | 40 |
| Oregon | $125K | +55% | 1,140 |
| Massachusetts | $99K | +23% | 610 |
| New York | $96K | +19% | 6,600 |
| New Hampshire | $88K | +9% | 50 |
| Virginia | $86K | +6% | 90 |
| New Jersey | $84K | +4% | 200 |
| Missouri | $82K | +1% | 260 |
| Pennsylvania | $79K | -2% | 380 |
| Washington | $78K | -3% | 590 |
| Connecticut | $77K | -5% | 50 |
| North Carolina | $75K | -7% | 330 |
| Georgia | $73K | -9% | 70 |
| Ohio | $59K | -27% | 210 |
| Utah | $58K | -28% | 330 |
Track fashion designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fashion designers make in U.S.?
The median is $80,690 a year - that works out to about $38.79 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,970, and experienced fashion designers can clear $169,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,429/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 26% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a fashion designers salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fashion designers salary is worth about $80,690 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do fashion designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.