Fashion Designers

Also Called: Costume Designer, Designer, Fashion Designer

Associate's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$37,090

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Fashion Designers do

Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.

  • Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
  • Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
  • Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
Industry Areas:

Information Technology

Training Program Areas:

OCT-Only Information Technology • Visual Communications

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Contact With Others
  • Electronic Mail
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Letters and Memos

Tools

  • Sewing machines
  • Ironing machines or presses
  • Tape measures
  • Scanners
  • Graphics tablets

Technology

Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk Revit
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Graphics or photo imaging software
Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Coordination
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
design
Arts and Humanities
English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products

Education

  • 36% Associate's degree
  • 25% Some college, no degree
  • 24% Bachelor's degree

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Fabric & Apparel Patternmakers

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, & Illustrators

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

Fashion Designers Currently Selected

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Interior Designers

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Art, Drama, & Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Albright College

    Reading, PA

  • Allegheny College

    Meadville, PA

Apprenticeships

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combines paid training & specialized classes to help workers enter highly skilled occupations. Click here for to locate an apprenticeship near you.

Military

The Military offers exciting career opportunities that align with your interests. Click here to explore military careers and find a recruiter near you.

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Innovation
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Achievement/Effort

Values

  • Achievement
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention

This is what Fashion Designers across the country typically make.

$17.83 / hour
$37,090 /year

Entry Level

$38.12 / hour
$79,290 /year

Median Level

$77.33 / hour
$160,850 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

Search Jobs