| Quick Facts: Fashion Designers | |
|---|---|
| 2012 Median Pay | $62,860 per year $30.22 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2012 | 22,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2012-22 | -3% (Decline) |
| Employment Change, 2012-22 | -700 |
What Fashion Designers Do
Fashion designers create original clothing, accessories, and footwear. They sketch designs, select fabrics and patterns, and give instructions on how to make the products they designed.
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
Most fashion designers have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as fashion design or fashion merchandising. Employers usually seek applicants with creativity, as well as a good technical understanding of the production process for clothing, accessories, or footwear.
Pay
The median annual wage for fashion designers was $62,860 in May 2012.
Job Outlook
Employment of fashion designers is projected to decline 3 percent from 2012 to 2022. Declining employment in the apparel manufacturing industry is preventing overall employment of fashion designers from increasing.
