Fashion Designer Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$74,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $80,960
State Rank
#12 of 23
460 employed here

How much does a Fashion Designer make in North Carolina?

A Fashion Designer working in North Carolina earns a median salary of $74,990 per year, or about $36.05 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $80,960 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $32,280 while the top 10% make $195,590 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,310 and $105,890 a year.

Fashion Designer salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$32,280$15.52
25th percentile (early career)$52,310$25.15
50th percentile (median)$74,990$36.05
75th percentile (experienced)$105,890$50.91
90th percentile (top earners)$195,590$94.03

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 12th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($74,990) 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 North Carolina?
The median Fashion Designer salary in North Carolina is $74,990 per year, or about $36.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,280 at the entry level to $195,590 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Fashion Designers about 7% less than the national median of $80,960. North Carolina ranks 12th out of 23 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Fashion Designers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $74,990 a year. About 460 Fashion Designers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Fashion Designer salary report

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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.