Fashion Designers in Virginia
Considering working as a Fashion Designers in Virginia? Here’s what you need to know. Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
What do Fashion Designers Make in Virginia?
The fashion designers working in Virginia, the median annual wage is $85,870 per year (or roughly $41.29/hour).Annual wages span from $46,800 at the 10th percentile to $105,030 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Median (50th) | $85,870 | $41.29 |
| 75th percentile | $92,820 | $44.62 |
| 90th percentile | $105,030 | $50.50 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Virginia nationwide is 0.17, indicating fewer fashion designers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, fashion designers earn a median of $53,057 per year ($25.51/hour), higher than the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 267,361 fashion designers nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 90 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 200 fashion designers.
Top States for Fashion Designers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most fashion designers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New York | 6,600 |
| California | 5,610 |
| Texas | 1,800 |
| Oregon | 1,140 |
| Florida | 840 |
| Massachusetts | 610 |
| Washington | 590 |
| Minnesota | 470 |
| Pennsylvania | 380 |
| Utah | 330 |
| North Carolina | 330 |
| Missouri | 260 |
| Ohio | 210 |
| New Jersey | 200 |
| South Carolina | 190 |
| Colorado | 180 |
| Arkansas | 170 |
| Arizona | 110 |
| Virginia | 90 |
| Georgia | 70 |
Highest-Paying States for Fashion Designers
Where fashion designers earn the most: fashion designers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | $142,500 |
| Oregon | $125,310 |
| Massachusetts | $99,340 |
| New York | $96,420 |
| New Hampshire | $88,230 |
| Virginia | $85,870 |
| Colorado | $85,680 |
| New Jersey | $84,020 |
| Missouri | $81,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,950 |
Skills
Top fashion designers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for fashion designers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, fashion designers typically:
- Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
- Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
- Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
- Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
- Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Collaborate with other designers to coordinate special products and designs.
- Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
- Purchase new or used clothing and accessory items as needed to complete designs.
- Visit textile showrooms to keep up-to-date on the latest fabrics.
- Adapt other designers' ideas for the mass market.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Working with Computers
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Developing and Building Teams
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software In-demand technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Design & Applied Arts
- Drama & Theater Arts
- Textile & Apparel Studies
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to fashion designers include:
- Art Directors
- Craft Artists
- Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
- Commercial and Industrial Designers
- Floral Designers
- Graphic Designers
Also Known As
Accessories Designer, Apparel Accessories Specialist, Apparel Designer, Apparel Product Developer, Apparel Technical Designer, Apparel and Accessories Designer, Athletic Shoe Designer, Clothes Designer, Clothing Designer, Costume Designer, Costumer, Custom Furrier, Dance Costume Designer, Denim Designer, Design Manager.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-1022.00
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.