Research Summary. Using a database of 30 million profiles, Zippia estimates demographics and statistics for fashion designers in the United States. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- There are over 3,854 fashion designers currently employed in the United States.
- 82.7% of all fashion designers are women, while 17.3% are men.
- The average age of an employed fashion designer is 36 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of fashion designers is White (63.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (11.9%), Asian (11.6%) and Black or African American (7.3%).
- Fashion designers are most in-demand in New York, NY.
- The retail industry is the highest-paying for fashion designers.
- San Francisco, CA pays an annual average wage of $68,984, the highest in the US.
- In 2021, women earned 91% of what men earned.
- 18% of all fashion designers are LGBT.
- Washington is the best state for fashion designers to live.
- Fashion designers are 72% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
Fashion Designer Statistics By Gender
82.7% of fashion designers are women and 17.3% of fashion designers are men.
- Female, 82.7%
- Male, 17.3%
Fashion Designers By Gender
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 82.7% |
| Male | 17.3% |
Gender Pay Gap For Fashion Designer
Women Earn 91¢ For Every $1 Earned By Men
![Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw== "Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (1)")
Male Income
$66,653
Female Income
$60,623
Fashion Designer Gender Over Time
This data shows how men and women predominate in the fashion designer position over time.
Male
Female
100
%
80
%
60
%
40
%
20
%
%
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2021
Fashion Designer Gender By Year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 56.67% | 43.33% |
| 2011 | 56.92% | 43.08% |
| 2012 | 56.12% | 43.88% |
| 2013 | 58.53% | 41.47% |
| 2014 | 56.38% | 43.62% |
| 2015 | 57.12% | 42.88% |
| 2016 | 56.02% | 43.98% |
| 2017 | 55.05% | 44.95% |
| 2018 | 26.21% | 73.79% |
| 2019 | 20.10% | 79.90% |
| 2021 | 17.33% | 82.67% |
Fashion Designer Male to Female Ratio
We compared this job title with other job titles to see how gender percentages varied. As you can see, exhibit builder and senior industrial designer have the biggest difference in gender.
| Job Title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Decorating Consultant | 9% | 91% |
| Floral Designer | 11% | 89% |
| Floral Manager | 11% | 89% |
| Fashion Designer | 17% | 83% |
| Craftsman | 88% | 12% |
| Senior Industrial Designer | 91% | 9% |
| Exhibit Builder | 93% | 7% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
Fashion Designer Statistics By Race
The most common ethnicity among fashion designers is White, which makes up 63.0% of all fashion designers. Comparatively, there are 11.9% of the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity and 11.6% of the Asian ethnicity.
- White, 63.0%
- Hispanic or Latino, 11.9%
- Asian, 11.6%
- Black or African American, 7.3%
- Unknown, 5.6%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
Fashion Designer Race
| Fashion Designer Race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 63.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 11.9% |
| Asian | 11.6% |
| Black or African American | 7.3% |
| Unknown | 5.6% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.6% |
Fashion Designer Race And Ethnicity Over Time
Using the Census Bureau data, we found out how the percentage of each ethnic category trended between 2010-2019 among fashion designers.
- White
- Asian
- Hispanic or Latino
- Black or African American
Fashion Designer Race By Year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 80.32% | 3.37% | 6.45% | 8.15% |
| 2011 | 79.15% | 3.38% | 7.00% | 8.33% |
| 2012 | 78.60% | 3.42% | 6.69% | 9.26% |
| 2013 | 79.01% | 3.39% | 7.37% | 8.05% |
| 2014 | 78.43% | 3.15% | 7.37% | 8.85% |
| 2015 | 77.58% | 3.31% | 7.11% | 9.89% |
| 2016 | 77.09% | 3.54% | 7.72% | 9.34% |
| 2017 | 77.04% | 3.17% | 8.01% | 9.29% |
| 2018 | 59.60% | 6.29% | 13.25% | 15.23% |
| 2019 | 57.46% | 7.46% | 17.16% | 13.18% |
| 2021 | 63.04% | 7.34% | 11.65% | 11.90% |
Fashion Designer Wage Gap By Race
$74,000
$70,000
$66,000
$62,000
$58,000
$54,000
Unknown
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $72,947 |
| White | $57,561 |
| Black or African American | $61,003 |
| Asian | $59,179 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $67,499 |
Fashion Designer JOBS
Average Age of a Fashion Designer
We determined the average age of fashion designers based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Fashion Designer Age By Race
| Race | Male Age | Female Age |
|---|---|---|
| White | 34 | 34.5 |
| Asian | 39 | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 31 |
Fashion Designer Age Breakdown
This chart breaks down the ages of fashion designer employees. Interestingly enough, the average age of fashion designers is 40+ years old, which represents 37% of the population.
40+ years
30-40 years
20-30 years
Fashion Designer Age
| Fashion Designer Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 37% |
| 30-40 years | 34% |
| 20-30 years | 27% |
Types of Fashion Designer Degree Levels
The most common degree for fashion designers is bachelor's degree 61% of fashion designers earn that degree. A close second is associate degree with 22% and rounding it off is master's degree with 7%.
- Bachelors, 61%
- Associate, 22%
- Masters, 7%
- Diploma, 5%
- Other Degrees, 5%
Fashion Designers By Education
| Fashion Designer Degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Bachelors | 61% |
| Associate | 22% |
| Masters | 7% |
| Diploma | 5% |
| Other Degrees | 5% |
Fashion Designer Jobs You Might Like
Fashion Designer Wage Gap By Education
$63,000
$60,000
$57,000
$54,000
$51,000
$48,000
$45,000
High School Diploma or Less
Bachelor's Degree
Some College/ Associate Degree
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $47,532 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $60,623 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $59,780 |
Fashion Designer Employment Statistics
This section highlights information about where fashion designers work. We found most fashion designers work for a private company. In addition, the industry that employs the most fashion designers is the retail industry.
Company Size
We created this chart to show you the average size of companies that typically hire fashion designers.
< 50 employees
50 - 100 employees
100 - 500 employees
500 - 1,000 employees
1,000 - 10,000 employees
> 10,000
Fashion Designer Jobs By Employer Size
| Company Size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 15% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 17% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 26% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 6% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 22% |
| > 10,000 employees | 15% |
The Types Of Companies Fashion Designer Work In
Employees with the fashion designer job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most fashion designers prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Education
Public
Private
Government
Fashion Designer Jobs By Sector
| Company Type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 5% |
| Public | 23% |
| Private | 72% |
| Government | 1% |
Top Industries Hiring Fashion Designers
Just based on the number of employees within each industry, we were able to determine the most common industries that employ fashion designers. Those industries include retail, manufacturing and professional.
Retail
Manufacturing
Professional
Fortune 500
Media
Show More
Fashion Designer Industry Statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Retail | 45% |
| Manufacturing | 11% |
| Professional | 7% |
| Fortune 500 | 6% |
| Media | 5% |
| Technology | 5% |
| Non Profits | 4% |
| Education | 4% |
| Finance | 3% |
| Automotive | 3% |
| Construction | 3% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Government | 1% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Utilities | 1% |
| Real Estate | 1% |
| Hospitality | 1% |
Fashion Designer Turnover And Employment Statistics
Fashion Designer Unemployment Rate Over Time
The Bureau of Labor Statistics came in clutch when it came down to figuring out how the unemployment rate has changed over time. Between 2008 and 2018, this is how the number of fashion designers changed.
- Unemployment rate
Fashion Designer Unemployment Rate By Year
| Year | Fashion Designer Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 9.84% |
| 2011 | 7.82% |
| 2012 | 7.12% |
| 2013 | 5.32% |
| 2014 | 4.78% |
| 2015 | 4.60% |
| 2016 | 4.15% |
| 2017 | 3.61% |
| 2018 | 5.28% |
| 2019 | 6.25% |
| 2021 | 16.87% |
The Average Number of Years That Fashion Designer Stay in a Job
By looking over 2,522 fashion designers resumes, we figured out that the average fashion designer enjoys staying at their job for 1-2 years for a percentage of 28%.
Less than one year
1-2 years
3-4 years
5-7 years
8-10 years
11+ years
Fashion Designer Tenure
| Number or Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 21% |
| 1-2 years | 28% |
| 3-4 years | 12% |
| 5-7 years | 16% |
| 8-10 years | 7% |
| 11+ years | 16% |
Comparing The LGBT Ratio of Fashion Designers with Other Job Titles
After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. Using the data below, you can see how other job titles compare to fashion designers.
| Job Title | LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Restoration Artist | 11.32% | 4,750 |
| Home Stager | 12.35% | 39,061 |
| Junior Graphic Designer | 13.05% | 55,460 |
| Floral Arranger | 14.26% | 46900.00% |
| Display Department Manager | 16.91% | 31,077 |
| Fashion Designer | 17.98% | |
| Interior Decorator | 22.51% | 11,194 |
Fashion Designer LGBT Demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|
| Restoration Artist | 11.32% | 4,750 |
| Home Stager | 12.35% | 39,061 |
| Junior Graphic Designer | 13.05% | 55,460 |
| Floral Arranger | 14.26% | 469 |
| Display Department Manager | 16.91% | 31,077 |
| Interior Decorator | 22.51% | 11,194 |
Foreign Languages Spoken By Fashion Designers
The most common foreign language among fashion designers is Spanish at 39.0%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 10.5% and Portuguese is the third-most popular at 7.6%.
- Spanish, 39.0%
- French, 10.5%
- Portuguese, 7.6%
- Mandarin, 7.0%
- Chinese, 5.8%
- Other, 30.1%
Fashion Designer Languages Spoken
| Foreign Language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 39.0% |
| French | 10.5% |
| Portuguese | 7.6% |
| Mandarin | 7.0% |
| Chinese | 5.8% |
| Other | 30.1% |
Fashion Designer Jobs
Recently Added Fashion Designer Jobs
Fashion Designer Heatmaps
Where Do Fashion Designers Earn The Most?
Fashion designers earn the most in Nevada, where the average fashion designer salary is $68,741. The map here shows where fashion designers earn the highest salaries in the U.S. The darker areas across the 50 states highlight the highest salaries.
Average Salary
![Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (5)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/salary-maps/2.4.8/fashion-designer.svgz "Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (5)")
Which State Has The Most Fashion Designers?
By looking through more than 2,522 resumes, we found that the most popular places for fashion designers are New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA.
Number of Fashion Designers
![Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (6)](https://i0.wp.com/media.zippia.com/demographics-maps/2.4.4/resume-fashion-designer.svgz "Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (6)")
Number Of Fashion Designer Jobs By State
| Rank | State | Number of Jobs | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,503 | $63,227 |
| 2 | New York | 1,115 | $54,702 |
| 3 | Texas | 1,056 | $48,744 |
| 4 | Washington | 714 | $64,565 |
| 5 | Georgia | 673 | $45,460 |
| 6 | Illinois | 645 | $36,052 |
| 7 | Virginia | 636 | $44,093 |
| 8 | Florida | 610 | $43,760 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 594 | $52,664 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 562 | $45,581 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 483 | $41,903 |
| 12 | Ohio | 442 | $48,069 |
| 13 | Michigan | 432 | $44,645 |
| 14 | Oregon | 381 | $57,835 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 364 | $43,097 |
| 16 | New Jersey | 329 | $54,206 |
| 17 | Maryland | 325 | $49,439 |
| 18 | Colorado | 316 | $55,637 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 303 | $44,284 |
| 20 | Missouri | 275 | $52,896 |
| 21 | Arizona | 267 | $44,543 |
| 22 | Indiana | 224 | $43,632 |
| 23 | Tennessee | 206 | $41,068 |
| 24 | Utah | 201 | $61,212 |
| 25 | District of Columbia | 186 | $62,789 |
| 26 | South Carolina | 169 | $44,743 |
| 27 | Iowa | 157 | $35,508 |
| 28 | Alabama | 156 | $40,285 |
| 29 | Connecticut | 153 | $64,845 |
| 30 | Kansas | 129 | $34,201 |
| 31 | Kentucky | 119 | $44,824 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | 115 | $45,855 |
| 33 | Louisiana | 91 | $45,558 |
| 34 | Arkansas | 87 | $40,761 |
| 35 | New Hampshire | 84 | $63,863 |
| 36 | Nevada | 81 | $68,741 |
| 37 | Nebraska | 79 | $54,050 |
| 38 | New Mexico | 73 | $44,197 |
| 39 | Rhode Island | 61 | $64,861 |
| 40 | Maine | 60 | $58,647 |
| 41 | Idaho | 57 | $63,228 |
| 42 | Mississippi | 56 | $52,269 |
| 43 | Delaware | 43 | $63,874 |
| 44 | West Virginia | 41 | $46,694 |
| 45 | Montana | 38 | $50,212 |
| 46 | South Dakota | 34 | $47,181 |
| 47 | North Dakota | 31 | $55,705 |
| 48 | Vermont | 29 | $56,563 |
| 49 | Alaska | 22 | $59,860 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 20 | $50,093 |
| 51 | Wyoming | 16 | $44,020 |
Fashion Designer Demographics FAQs
How Many Fashion Designer Are There In The Us?
There are over 3,854 Fashion Designers in the United States.
What Percentage Of Fashion Designers Are Black?
7.3% of Fashion Designers are Black or African American
What Race Are Most Fashion Designers?
Most a are White, with 63.0% of Fashion Designers belonging to this ethnicity. 11.9% of Fashion Designers are Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% of Fashion Designers are Asian, 7.3% of Fashion Designers are Black or African American, 5.6% of Fashion Designers are Unknown, and 0.6% of Fashion Designers are American Indian and Alaska Native
Are Fashion Designer Jobs Male - Dominated?
No, Fashion Designer jobs are not male - dominated. 82% of Fashion Designers are female, and 17% are male, so there are more female Fashion Designers than male Fashion Designers in the United States.
How Old Is The Average Fashion Designer?
The average Fashion Designer is 37 years old. 37% of Fashion Designers are 40+ years old or older, 34% are between the ages of 30-40 years, and 27% are between 20-30 years old
Have more questions?
See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.Search For Fashion Designer Jobs
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Updated September 9, 2022
![Fashion Designer Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Fashion Designers In The US (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)