Top 15 cities for fashion designers by average salary
| Boston, MA | $118,650 |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $113,040 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $112,270 |
| San Francisco, CA | $106,270 |
| Boulder, CO | $100,980 |
| Riverside, CA | $100,590 |
| Charlotte, NC | $95,370 |
| Denver, CO | $93,470 |
| San Diego, CA | $92,290 |
| Seattle, WA | $91,860 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $86,920 |
| Washington, DC | $79,550 |
| Burlington, VT | $79,070 |
| Tampa, FL | $76,990 |
| Providence, RI | $73,130 |
Map: Fashion Designers salary by metro area
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Fashion Designers salary by state
Massachusetts pays fashion designers the most statewide, $113,650 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $113,650 | $103,520 | 540 | 1 | $118,650 | $118,650 |
| California | n/a | n/a | 6,470 | 4 | $112,270 | $92,290 |
| New York | $111,740 | $98,640 | 5,760 | 1 | $113,040 | $113,040 |
| New Jersey | $103,480 | $101,610 | 160 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $102,050 | $100,160 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $95,070 | $78,340 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Connecticut | $94,620 | $81,510 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Colorado | $94,270 | $94,140 | 360 | 2 | $100,980 | $93,470 |
| Washington | $90,130 | $82,030 | n/a | 1 | $91,860 | $91,860 |
| North Carolina | $87,590 | $74,990 | 460 | 2 | $95,370 | $63,350 |
| Virginia | $87,480 | $94,120 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $79,550 | $79,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,880 | $63,840 | 320 | 2 | $86,920 | $69,070 |
| Vermont | $75,210 | $79,610 | 60 | 1 | $79,070 | $79,070 |
| Michigan | $74,660 | $63,430 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Ohio | $73,870 | $82,050 | 90 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Rhode Island | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $73,130 | $73,130 |
| Kansas | $71,770 | $59,150 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | n/a | n/a | 200 | 1 | $70,680 | $70,680 |
| Utah | n/a | n/a | 430 | 2 | $64,880 | $46,760 |
| Maine | $59,620 | $49,530 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $59,030 | $57,030 | 120 | 1 | $64,560 | $64,560 |
| Indiana | $56,210 | $40,740 | 120 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $54,600 | $40,040 | 1,850 | 1 | $69,680 | $69,680 |
| Florida | $53,350 | $43,020 | 1,100 | 2 | $76,990 | $66,960 |
| Hawaii | $52,820 | $47,990 | n/a | 1 | $57,390 | $57,390 |
| Arizona | $48,700 | $45,720 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Minnesota | $45,670 | $42,110 | 420 | 1 | $51,200 | $51,200 |
Fashion Designers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | $118,650 | $106,630 | $57.05 | 480 |
| New York, NY | $113,040 | $99,560 | $54.35 | 5,540 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $112,270 | $108,220 | $53.98 | 70 |
| San Francisco, CA | $106,270 | $102,370 | $51.09 | 450 |
| Boulder, CO | $100,980 | $98,680 | $48.55 | 60 |
| Riverside, CA | $100,590 | $96,760 | $48.36 | 180 |
| Charlotte, NC | $95,370 | $82,130 | $45.85 | 110 |
| Denver, CO | $93,470 | $99,420 | $44.94 | 250 |
| San Diego, CA | $92,290 | $82,010 | $44.37 | 320 |
| Seattle, WA | $91,860 | $85,220 | $44.16 | n/a |
| Philadelphia, PA | $86,920 | $78,890 | $41.79 | 170 |
| Washington, DC | $79,550 | $62,400 | $38.25 | 80 |
| Burlington, VT | $79,070 | $82,040 | $38.02 | 30 |
| Tampa, FL | $76,990 | $78,280 | $37.02 | 80 |
| Providence, RI | $73,130 | $61,360 | $35.16 | 90 |
| Kansas City, MO | $70,680 | $59,150 | $33.98 | 50 |
| Dallas, TX | $69,680 | $63,210 | $33.50 | 590 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $69,070 | $53,950 | $33.21 | 50 |
| Orlando, FL | $66,960 | $61,810 | $32.19 | 160 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $64,880 | $60,010 | $31.19 | 150 |
| Madison, WI | $64,560 | $57,030 | $31.04 | 70 |
| Greensboro, NC | $63,350 | $52,840 | $30.46 | 70 |
| Honolulu, HI | $57,390 | $50,310 | $27.59 | n/a |
| Minneapolis, MN | $51,200 | $46,150 | $24.61 | 80 |
| Logan, UT | $46,760 | $44,680 | $22.48 | 30 |
Related jobs
- Graphic DesignersU.S. average $70,560
- Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersU.S. average $42,830
- Art DirectorsU.S. average $129,440
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and IllustratorsU.S. average $73,150
- Commercial and Industrial DesignersU.S. average $93,260
- Floral DesignersU.S. average $39,520
- Interior DesignersU.S. average $74,540
- Special Effects Artists and AnimatorsU.S. average $112,870
Fashion Designers salary: questions
Where do fashion designers make the most money?
In Boston, MA, with an average of $118,650 a year, among the 25 metro areas we cover.
What is the average fashion designers salary in the U.S.?
$91,230 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $80,960, so half of fashion designers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should fashion designers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of fashion designers nationwide earn between $51,940 (25th percentile) and $106,470 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays fashion designers the most?
Massachusetts, with a statewide average of $113,650 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is fashion designers pay the lowest?
Logan, UT, at $46,760 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1022.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.