Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Developing original ideas, approaches, designs, or solutions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Fashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear. PayThe median annual wage for fashion designers was $80,960 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of fashion designers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for fashion designers was $80,960 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of fashion designers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of fashion designers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear.
Work Environment
Fashion designers work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel companies, retailers, theater or dance companies, and design firms. Most fashion designers work in New York and California.
How to Become a Fashion Designer
Fashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear.
Pay
The median annual wage for fashion designers was $80,960 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of fashion designers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Fashion designers work in wholesale or manufacturing establishments, apparel companies, retailers, theater or dance companies, and design firms. Most fashion designers work in New York and California.
How to Become a Fashion Designer
Fashion designers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers may prefer to hire creative candidates who have technical knowledge of the production processes for clothing, accessories, or footwear.
Pay
The median annual wage for fashion designers was $80,960 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of fashion designers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 2,500 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for fashion designers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of fashion designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about fashion designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.