How much does a fashion designer make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $38.92 an hour or $6,747 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.92
- Average (mean)
- $91,230
- Jobs
- 21,450
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,490 | $18.99 | |
| 25th | $51,940 | $24.97 | |
| Median | $80,960 | $38.92 | |
| 75th | $106,500 | $51.19 | |
| 90th | $146,900 | $70.61 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Massachusetts | $103,500 |
| New Jersey | $101,600 |
| New Hampshire | $100,200 |
| New York | $98,640 |
| Colorado | $94,140 |
| Virginia | $94,120 |
| Ohio | $82,050 |
| Washington | $82,030 |
| Connecticut | $81,510 |
| Vermont | $79,610 |
| Georgia | $78,340 |
| North Carolina | $74,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,840 |
| Michigan | $63,430 |
| Kansas | $59,150 |
| Wisconsin | $57,030 |
| Maine | $49,530 |
| Hawaii | $47,990 |
| Arizona | $45,720 |
| Florida | $43,020 |
| Minnesota | $42,110 |
| Indiana | $40,740 |
| Texas | $40,040 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Santa Maria, CA | $108,200 |
| Boston, MA | $106,600 |
| San Francisco, CA | $102,400 |
| New York, NY | $99,560 |
| Denver, CO | $99,420 |
| Boulder, CO | $98,680 |
| Riverside, CA | $96,760 |
| Seattle, WA | $85,220 |
| Charlotte, NC | $82,130 |
| Burlington, VT | $82,040 |
| San Diego, CA | $82,010 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $78,890 |
| Tampa, FL | $78,280 |
| Dallas, TX | $63,210 |
| Washington, DC | $62,400 |
In other countries
Fashion Designer belongs to the international group "Product and garment designers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Art Director$114,900
- Craft Artist$46,080
- Fine Artist$55,490
- Special Effects Artist and Animator$102,000
- Artist and Related Worker$71,240
- Commercial and Industrial Designer$83,910
- Floral Designer$37,360
- Graphic Designer$62,960
- Interior Designer$67,190
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer$39,390
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fashion designer make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $38.92 ($80,960 a year).
How much does a fashion designer make a month?
About $6,747 a month before tax, based on a median of $80,960 a year.
How much does a fashion designer make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,490 or less a year ($18.99 an hour); the top 10% make $146,900 or more.
Which state pays fashion designers the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $103,500 a year, followed by New Jersey ($101,600) and New Hampshire ($100,200).
Which city pays fashion designers the most?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, with a median of $108,200 a year.
How many fashion designers are there in the United States?
About 21,450 people work as fashion designers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.