Fashion Designer Salary Overview
The Fashion Designer is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $77,560. Compensation typically ranges from $38,800 for entry-level positions to $138,400 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Fashion Designer in the US earns between $38,800 and $138,400 per year, with a median of $77,560.
Fashion Designer Salary by Experience
Entry-level fashion designers earn around $50,414, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $104,706 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $46,536 | $22/hr | $38,347 |
| Mid | $77,560 | $37/hr | $59,599 |
| Senior | $108,584 | $52/hr | $78,539 |
| Lead | $110,911 | $53/hr | $79,960 |
Fashion Designer Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Fashion Designer in each US state.
Pay for fashion designers varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,713 | $5,933 | $59,236 | 23.6% |
| Alaska | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| Arizona | $77,560 | $8,677 | $1,574 | $5,933 | $61,375 | 20.9% |
| Arkansas | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,186 | $5,933 | $59,763 | 22.9% |
| California | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,351 | $5,933 | $59,599 | 23.2% |
| Colorado | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,753 | $5,933 | $60,197 | 22.4% |
| Connecticut | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,516 | $5,933 | $59,434 | 23.4% |
| Delaware | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,888 | $5,933 | $59,062 | 23.9% |
| District of Columbia | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,752 | $5,933 | $59,198 | 23.7% |
| Florida | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| Georgia | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,599 | $5,933 | $59,350 | 23.5% |
| Hawaii | $77,560 | $8,677 | $5,471 | $5,933 | $57,479 | 25.9% |
| Idaho | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,652 | $5,933 | $59,298 | 23.5% |
| Illinois | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,702 | $5,933 | $59,248 | 23.6% |
| Indiana | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,366 | $5,933 | $60,584 | 21.9% |
| Iowa | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,947 | $5,933 | $60,002 | 22.6% |
| Kansas | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,764 | $5,933 | $59,186 | 23.7% |
| Kentucky | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,976 | $5,933 | $59,973 | 22.7% |
| Louisiana | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,715 | $5,933 | $60,234 | 22.3% |
| Maine | $77,560 | $8,677 | $4,008 | $5,933 | $58,942 | 24.0% |
| Maryland | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,510 | $5,933 | $59,439 | 23.4% |
| Massachusetts | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,658 | $5,933 | $59,291 | 23.6% |
| Michigan | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,058 | $5,933 | $59,891 | 22.8% |
| Minnesota | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,823 | $5,933 | $59,126 | 23.8% |
| Mississippi | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,067 | $5,933 | $59,882 | 22.8% |
| Missouri | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,852 | $5,933 | $60,098 | 22.5% |
| Montana | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,469 | $5,933 | $59,481 | 23.3% |
| Nebraska | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,009 | $5,933 | $59,941 | 22.7% |
| Nevada | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| New Hampshire | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| New Jersey | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,814 | $5,933 | $60,135 | 22.5% |
| New Mexico | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,806 | $5,933 | $60,144 | 22.5% |
| New York | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,856 | $5,933 | $59,094 | 23.8% |
| North Carolina | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,916 | $5,933 | $60,033 | 22.6% |
| North Dakota | $77,560 | $8,677 | $1,228 | $5,933 | $61,722 | 20.4% |
| Ohio | $77,560 | $8,677 | $1,414 | $5,933 | $61,536 | 20.7% |
| Oklahoma | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,194 | $5,933 | $59,755 | 23.0% |
| Oregon | $77,560 | $8,677 | $6,261 | $5,933 | $56,688 | 26.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,381 | $5,933 | $60,568 | 21.9% |
| Rhode Island | $77,560 | $8,677 | $2,513 | $5,933 | $60,437 | 22.1% |
| South Carolina | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,336 | $5,933 | $59,613 | 23.1% |
| South Dakota | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| Tennessee | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| Texas | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| Utah | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,607 | $5,933 | $59,343 | 23.5% |
| Vermont | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,178 | $5,933 | $59,771 | 22.9% |
| Virginia | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,943 | $5,933 | $59,006 | 23.9% |
| Washington | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
| West Virginia | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,083 | $5,933 | $59,867 | 22.8% |
| Wisconsin | $77,560 | $8,677 | $3,023 | $5,933 | $59,927 | 22.7% |
| Wyoming | $77,560 | $8,677 | $0 | $5,933 | $62,949 | 18.8% |
Top Cities for Fashion Designer Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for fashion designers tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $85,316 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $85,316 |
| San Francisco, CA | $85,316 |
| Hartford, CT | $85,316 |
| Newark, NJ | $85,316 |
Calculate Fashion Designer Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Tax Breakdown
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Fashion Designer
Becoming a fashion designer typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Fashion Designer Career Outlook
Employment of fashion designers is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Fashion Designer Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for fashion designers in the US is $77,560, with a typical range from $38,800 to $138,400 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for fashion designers include NY, CA, NJ. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level fashion designers can expect to earn around $50,414 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a fashion designer can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for fashion designers is approximately $37.29, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.