Fashion Designer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Fashion Designers Make?
Fashion Designers earn a median annual salary of $80,690 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,970 at the 10th percentile to $169,620 at the 90th percentile — a range of $133,650. The highest-paying state is Tennessee at $142,500.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,970 |
| 25th percentile | $53,730 |
| Median (50th) | $80,690 |
| 75th percentile | $107,990 |
| 90th percentile | $169,620 |
Fashion Designer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Tennesseetop | $142,500 |
| Oregon | $125,310 |
| Massachusetts | $99,340 |
| New York | $96,420 |
| New Hampshire | $88,230 |
| Virginia | $85,870 |
| Colorado | $85,680 |
| New Jersey | $84,020 |
| Missouri | $81,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,950 |
| Washington | $77,990 |
| Connecticut | $77,020 |
| North Carolina | $74,830 |
| Georgia | $73,070 |
| Ohio | $58,790 |
| Utah | $58,490 |
| Kansas | $54,400 |
| Indiana | $52,430 |
| Kentucky | $48,000 |
| Florida | $43,920 |
| Arizona | $43,200 |
| Minnesota | $40,040 |
| Wisconsin | $37,790 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Fashion Designers
Fashion Designer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,970 – $53,730 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$80,690 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$107,990 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $169,620+ |
How to Earn More as a Fashion Designer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Fashion Designers in Oregon earn $125,310 — $44,620 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($107,990) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Fashion Designer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Fashion Designerthis career | $80,690 |
| Art Director | $111,040 |
| Craft Artist | $38,480 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrator | $60,560 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $79,450 |
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SOC: 27-1022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.