Fashion Designer salary in New York
Fashion Designers in New York earn a median of $98,640 a year ($47.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,430 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $80,960. New York ranks 4th of 23 states for fashion designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.59 fashion designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $111,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fashion designers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| 25th percentile | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Median | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| 75th percentile | $131,370 | $63.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $177,430 | $85.30 |
| Average (mean) | $111,740 | $53.72 |
Half of fashion designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,220 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,110 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,793.85 |
| Weekly | $1,896.92 |
| Hourly | $47.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $98,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fashion Designer salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $99,560 | 5,540 |
Highest-paying states for fashion designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $103,520 |
| New Jersey | $101,610 |
| New Hampshire | $100,160 |
| New York | $98,640 |
| Colorado | $94,140 |
| Virginia | $94,120 |
| Ohio | $82,050 |
| Washington | $82,030 |
| Connecticut | $81,510 |
| Vermont | $79,610 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| Interior Designer | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,640 | $43.10 |
| Floral Designer | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $96,770 | $46.52 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Designers, All Other | $86,030 | $41.36 |
| Craft Artist | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fashion designer make in New York?
The median salary for fashion designers in New York is $98,640 a year, or $47.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $177,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fashion designers make in New York?
The top 10% of fashion designers in New York earn at least $177,430 a year. The top 25% earn $131,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for fashion designers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,610 a year, and a quarter of fashion designers earn $76,370 or less.
How many fashion designers work in New York?
About 5,760 fashion designers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.