Sketch designs, choose fabrics, and create samples for clothing, footwear, and accessories.
You may also see this posted as: Apparel Designer, Costume Designer, Designer, Apparel and Accessories Designer, Fashion Design Contractor, Fashion Graphic Designer.
Studios and design offices
Full time, long hours near deadlines
Artistic
creating, designing, performing, or working without a rigid script
Realistic
working with tools, equipment, materials, or the physical world
Enterprising
leading, persuading, selling, or turning an idea into action
O*NET job zone 3 of 5
Medium preparation—often vocational training, an associate degree, or substantial experience—is usually needed.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
BLS estimates 20% of workers in this occupation are self-employed.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: Bachelor's in fashion or design.
Related work experience: None.
On-the-job training: None.
No license required to start in most places.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Designs clothing and accessories, from first sketch to finished sample, in a competitive field.
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Standard Occupational Classification 27-1022. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.