Fashion Designer Salary in New York (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Fashion Designers in New York, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$98,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $80,960
State Rank
#4 of 23
5,760 employed here

How much does a Fashion Designer make in New York?

Fashion Designers in New York take home a median of $98,640 annually — roughly $47.42 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $80,960.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $62,610 while the top 10% make $177,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,370 and $131,370 a year.

Fashion Designer salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$62,610$30.10
25th percentile (early career)$76,370$36.72
50th percentile (median)$98,640$47.42
75th percentile (experienced)$131,370$63.16
90th percentile (top earners)$177,430$85.30

How New York compares

New York ranks 4th out of 23 states and territories for Fashion Designer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Massachusetts$103,520
2New Jersey$101,610
3New Hampshire$100,160
4New York$98,640
5Colorado$94,140

Working as a Fashion Designer in New York

Nationally, about 21,000 people work as Fashion Designers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare New York pay ($98,640) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Fashion Designer make in New York?
The median Fashion Designer salary in New York is $98,640 per year, or about $47.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,610 at the entry level to $177,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Fashion Designers about 22% more than the national median of $80,960. New York ranks 4th out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Fashion Designers?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $98,640 a year. About 5,760 Fashion Designers are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Fashion Designer salary report

Related salaries

Editor

$77,920
median pay · 92,000 employed

Film and Video Editors

$75,420
median pay · 26,000 employed

Public Relations Specialist

$74,750
median pay · 283,000 employed

Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other

$70,720
median pay · 12,000 employed

Writers and Authors

$76,910
median pay · 48,000 employed

Audio and Video Technicians

$58,100
median pay · 70,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.