Fashion designers create clothing, shoes and other apparel and accessories according to the latest fashion trends. They typically have a bachelor's degree in fashion design, along with a strong aesthetic sense. Fashion designers typically earn a salary and other benefits from fashion houses or major department stores.
National Salaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides specific salary information on fashion design as of 2010. The average annual salary for fashion designers was $74,440; the median salary was $64,530. Fashion designers at the 10th percentile in the salary range earned an annual salary of $32,500. Those at the 25th percentile made $44,150 per year. Fashion designers at the 75th percentile range earned $90,590 per year. Those at the 90th percentile earned $130,890.
Industry Profile
Fashion designers working in the wholesale electronic market earned the highest salaries, with an average salary of $99,010 in 2010. The motion picture industry paid its fashion designers an average of $92,570. Those working for the wholesalers of durable goods earned an average of $78,780 per year. Fashion designers working in footwear manufacturing earned an average of $77,980 per year. Those working in company management earned $77,660 per year on average.
Geographic Profile
New York had the highest-paid fashion designers in 2010, with an average salary of $81,990 per year. California's fashion designers earned an average of $72,500 per year. Fashion designers in New Jersey earned an average of $68,930 annually. Oregon's fashion designers made $65,620 per year. The average annual salary for fashion designers in Maine was $79,620.
Employment Outlook
The employment of fashion designers will increase by one percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the BLS. This increase is significantly less than the predicted job growth for all occupations during this period. The continued outsourcing of fashion design jobs will constrain the employment of fashion designers in the United States. The best employment opportunities for fashion designers will be with department stores that design clothing for the general public.
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