Fashion Designer Salary Information

While the fashion design industry's household names probably earn hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, this might be a little out of reach for the average fashion designer. An entry-level fashion designer salary is far from the million dollar mark, but overall, this is a well-paying career with potential for growth.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2012-13 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median national annual salary for a fashion designer is $64,530. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors.

There are a number of factors that influence your fashion designer salary. Name recognition and experience level are two of the big ones, but there are a few more things that may also contribute to building up your bank account.

Consider the following reasons your fashion designer salary may not be all you could wish for:

• Job title/description – If your job title includes the words "manager" or "senior," chances are you will be paid at a higher rate that if you are working in an entry-level job. It never hurts to spend time developing your skills and showing your employer the dedication needed to move up the job ladder.
   
• Education level – Some employers may take your education level into account when determining your pay. After all, if they don't have to provide extensive training, your employer will likely feel more confident that you deserve a larger salary.
   
• Geographic location – Fashion is a very geography-centered industry. There are not only more opportunities for entry-level fashion jobs in cities like New York and L.A., but your fashion designer salary is likely to be higher in these locations than in a smaller city or town.