Fashion Designers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Fashion Designers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $95,730 a year, or about $46.03 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $87,922 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 37.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $96K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About fashion designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level fashion designers (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K.Top earners bring in $138K or more - a $95K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fashion designers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $95,730 a year - that works out to about $46.03 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,790, and experienced fashion designers can clear $137,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,870/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a fashion designers salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fashion designers salary is worth about $87,922 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.