Fashion Designer salary in North Carolina
Fashion Designers in North Carolina earn a median of $74,990 a year ($36.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 460 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,590 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $80,960. North Carolina ranks 12th of 23 states for fashion designers pay. There are 0.09 fashion designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $87,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fashion designers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,280 | $15.52 |
| 25th percentile | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Median | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 75th percentile | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,590 | $94.04 |
| Average (mean) | $87,590 | $42.11 |
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 | $6,249.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,124.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,884.23 |
| Weekly | $1,442.12 |
| Hourly | $36.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fashion Designer salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $82,130 | 110 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $52,840 | 70 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Floral Designer | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $88,350 | $42.48 |
| Designers, All Other | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for fashion designers in North Carolina is $74,990 a year, or $36.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fashion designers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of fashion designers in North Carolina earn at least $195,590 a year. The top 25% earn $105,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for fashion designers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,280 a year, and a quarter of fashion designers earn $52,310 or less.
How many fashion designers work in North Carolina?
About 460 fashion designers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.