Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources

Fashion Designers

Median Salary
80,690
Job Outlook
N/A

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

66%

Self-employed

29%

Private not for profit

3%

State and local government

1%

Federal Government

0%

What is the job outlook?

Employment of fashion designers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,300 openings for fashion designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$37,790

10%

$80,690

Median

$142,500

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    50%

  • Associate's degree

    44%

  • High school

    3%

  • Some college

    1%


Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Fashion and Fabric Consultant
  • Fashion/Apparel Design
  • Apparel and Textile Manufacture
  • Costume Design
  • Textile Science

Skills and Interests

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

  • Leadership

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low


What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Design
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language
  • Production and Processing
  • Sales and Marketing

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low


What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.