Fashion Designer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Fashion Designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $53,950 a year ($25.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,450 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $80,960. Pay here is 15% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $63,840. There are 0.04 fashion designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $69,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fashion designers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,010 | $25.49 |
| 25th percentile | $53,010 | $25.49 |
| Median | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| 75th percentile | $84,710 | $40.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,450 | $48.77 |
| Average (mean) | $69,070 | $33.21 |
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 | $4,495.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,247.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,075 |
| Weekly | $1,037.50 |
| Hourly | $25.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fashion Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $78,890 | 170 |
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 |
See Fashion Designer pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Interior Designer | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Floral Designer | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Art Director | $96,420 | $46.36 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Editor | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Photographer | $42,530 | $20.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for fashion designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $53,950 a year, or $25.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fashion designers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of fashion designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $101,450 a year. The top 25% earn $84,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for fashion designers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,010 a year, and a quarter of fashion designers earn $53,010 or less.
How many fashion designers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 50 fashion designers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.