Fashion Designers
Fashion designers create original clothing and accessory designs or adapt existing trends for brands and manufacturers. They work in design studios, corporate offices, or independently, developing concepts through sketching, sampling, and production coordination. Most positions are in fashion centers like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, though remote work is increasingly common.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against fashion designers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A fashion designer's week typically includes sketching new designs, researching market trends, and reviewing fabrics and materials with suppliers. They attend fittings to assess prototypes, make revisions based on feedback, and communicate specifications to pattern makers and manufacturers. Time is spent in design software, in meetings with marketing and merchandising teams, and managing timelines for seasonal collections.
Who this work suits
Holland code ARE. Artistic work is creating and designing, with room for self-expression. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You're suited to fashion design if you combine strong artistic ability with practical, realistic thinking about production and markets. You enjoy solving visual problems, staying current with trends, and translating creative ideas into wearable products that can actually be manufactured and sold.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $81,390 | $103,520 | $138,880 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $80,960 | $101,610 | $126,530 | 160 |
| New Hampshire | $79,670 | $100,160 | $115,080 | 40 |
| New York | $76,370 | $98,640 | $131,370 | 5,760 |
| Colorado | $73,670 | $94,140 | $105,220 | 360 |
| Virginia | $60,790 | $94,120 | $102,790 | 100 |
| Ohio | $54,530 | $82,050 | $86,730 | 90 |
| Washington | $71,650 | $82,030 | $100,250 | — |
| Connecticut | $51,720 | $81,510 | $116,380 | 50 |
| Vermont | $58,660 | $79,610 | $82,040 | 60 |
| Georgia | $61,530 | $78,340 | $116,940 | 120 |
| North Carolina | $52,310 | $74,990 | $105,890 | 460 |
All 23 states
Certifications people in this field hold
- Master Sewing and Design Professional (MSDP) — Association of Sewing and Design Professionals
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against fashion designers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 27-1022.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.