Also called: Apparel Designer, Clothing Designer
Designs clothing and accessories, from sketches to finished garments.
A fashion designer researches trends, sketches ideas, picks fabrics, and works with patternmakers to create samples. Fittings reveal what works and what doesn't. Most work for apparel companies in New York or Los Angeles; some launch their own labels.
Based on BLS fashion designers (27-1022), May 2024 estimates.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in fashion design (FIT, Parsons, SCAD, Otis are well known).
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile Design.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Few jobs and stiff competition.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI generates sketches, prints and 3D samples fast, squeezing assistant roles; fit, fabric and taste still require designers.
Classes: Fashion design CTE, AP Studio Art, Sewing or FCCLA.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1022.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.