What Fashion Designers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Fashion Designers this way: "Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments"; "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"; "Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas"; "Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Fashion Designers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 32,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 32,800 in 2035, an increase of 100 jobs (+0.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 2,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.6% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 35.7% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $80,960, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Fashion Designers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $98,945 in New Jersey to $99,560 in New York, a gap of $615 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $80,960 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 5,710, which is 50.8% of the 11,250 counted across them. New York follows with 5,540.
Highest-paying states
New York ($99,560) and New Jersey ($98,945) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($98,945) and New York ($99,560) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Fashion Designers
Interior Designers, Graphic Designers and Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (27-1000) include Art Directors.
Frequently asked questions about Fashion Designers
How much do Fashion Designers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $80,960. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $98,945 to $99,560.
Which state pays Fashion Designers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $99,560. New Jersey is next at $98,945.
Is Fashion Designers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 0.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 2,500 openings a year.
What education do Fashion Designers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.