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Job outlook for dress designers in the United States
Are dress designer jobs in demand?
Dress designer job and salary trends over time
Dress designer jobs over time
Dress designer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 184 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 201 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 210 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 188 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 181 | 0.00% |
Average dress designer salary over time
Dress designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $63,912 | $30.73 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $62,209 | $29.91 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $61,307 | $29.47 | +7.9% |
| 2023 | $56,839 | $27.33 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $54,942 | $26.41 | +2.4% |
Dress designer jobs by state
Most common states for dress designers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 186 | 27% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 666 | 9% |
| 3 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 359 | 9% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 581 | 8% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 584 | 7% |
| 6 | California | 39,536,653 | 2,507 | 6% |
| 7 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 630 | 6% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 324 | 6% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 315 | 6% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 193 | 6% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 78 | 6% |
| 12 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,004 | 5% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 647 | 5% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 306 | 5% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 284 | 5% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 54 | 5% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 154 | 4% |
| 18 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 57 | 4% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 43 | 4% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 28 | 4% |
Dress Designer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of dress designer experts
Louisiana State University and A&M College
Ferris State University
Santa Monica College
University of Rhode Island
Albion College
Georgia Southern University
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Louisiana State University and A&M College
Kansas State University
University of Dubuque
MJSA
North Dakota State University
What general advice would you give to a Dress Designer?
Dr. Mary Elliott: Thank you so much. We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What Dress Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Mary Elliott: The fashion industry is one of the largest industries in the world. According to McKinsey & Company, if the fashion industry were a country measuring GDP, it would be the 7th largest economy in the world. The fashion industry encompasses all of the processes needed to take raw product to finished textiles and then to the finished product ready for purchasing by the consumer. This diverse, fast-paced, constantly changing industry is generally divided into two categories for preparation purposes: the creative side and the business side.
What Dress Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gina Pisut Ph.D.: In addition to being well versed in computer design software for Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising graduates, students need to truly be open to learning, have strong communication skills, and be able to work well in a team. The most common feedback we get from fashion and retail companies is students must be willing to do the work, be open to learning and doing different aspects of the business, and be adaptable and able to pivot when changes come within this fast-paced industry.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Dress Designers to find work opportunities?
Patrick Klarecki: Graduates in May 2020 and December 2020 did not see the opportunities their previous alumni did. We were able to place only about 25% of our graduates. There are a couple that have offers of employment "When things get better."
Lorrie Ivas
Full-time FacultySanta Monica College
Photo, Fashion Department
What soft skills should all Dress Designers possess?
Lorrie Ivas: Love the actual definition of "soft skills": personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.
What is often overlooked is communicating professionally via email, text, phone, and/or personal interactions. Basic business etiquette is very important. Fashion is a creative field, yet it is also a business ... and professionalism always stands out... Attention to detail will set one apart from the others. So many resumes come in with spelling errors! It is often just one page! Not proofing once - and then proofing again, and then having someone else's fresh eyes proof it one more time - shows a lack of attention to detail.
Design is a collaborative proposition, so the ability to share ideas with a team is vital.
And again, knowledge of social media platforms, where professional and creative communication/writing skills are as important as the photographs, represents someone who will be a valuable addition to a design firm.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Dress Designers?
Lorrie Ivas: The ability to communicate your design concepts to the team (or future boss/interviewer) is vital. Hand and digital fashion sketching and illustration skills are necessary at every step. Scholarships, competitions, or internships often request a sample portfolio, so it doesn't go any further if the illustrations don't "wow" the judging viewer. One can sew/tailor beautifully, but knowing how to "show" that skillset to the judge or employer is vital - i.e., photographing the step-by-step process with close-up details of tailoring skills and presenting it digitally... will win. One may not show actual garments... so knowing how to "sell" your skills is crucial.
What technical skills for a Dress Designer stand out to employers?
Elaine Grullón: Some technical skills that stand out to employers is the ability to combine the manual with the technology, in other words combining the old and new media. The rise of new media has caused a need to understand social media but not just the practical but the functional side which includes data analysis. You have to be able to answer questions related to why this trend or if not favorable how we can make improvements. It is all about adaptability and responding to a change in need or even want. Also having knowledge on using computer aided programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or even InDesign, it is important to be able to perform technical writing. Marketing is all about catching the consumers attention in that first moment. Without an understanding of design, and the principles and elements that go alongside the purpose of great marketing will be defeated.
What Dress Designer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lisa TenHulzen: What skills need to be enhanced really depends on the area of the theatre they traditionally worked in. For makers and artisans, I would suggest pursuing any hobby or job that will continue to stretch your creative side. You do not want to go for an extended period of time without making something with your hands. The same goes for the directors and actors, but find something where you can use your creative analysis and presentation skills. Start a podcast, read new plays, make videos, etc. The skill of a theatre artist can stagnate if it is not used. Take advantage of the time you have, and pursue a personal creative project.
What general advice would you give to a Dress Designer?
Lisa TenHulzen: Work hard. I don't have to tell you that being successful in the theatre business is extremely difficult, even at the best of times. Post-pandemic, I believe this will be even harder. You have to be able to push yourself to become stronger, more professional and more driven than you ever anticipated. Being in the theatre professionally is not easy, and if you expect it to be, you are in the wrong field. Even the most talented among us have to work their tails off to be successful. Pursue anything and everything that comes your way, be kind to your colleagues, and be collaborative. Understand that there are 100 more artists waiting to take your place, so treat each position with the respect it deserves. One thing that will not change post-pandemic is how small the theatre world is and how much that can help or hinder you based on the relationships you build.
Hope Wallace Simpara
Assistant Professor of Fashion Merchandising and Apparel DesignGeorgia Southern University
School of Human Ecology
What are the best companies to work for a Dress Designer?
Hope Wallace Simpara: Right now some of the best companies to work for are companies that are still showing steady sales and some growth. We have heard from industry professionals that apparel and beauty companies with a strong online presence and companies that specialize in soft goods are seeing growth. The loungewear and athleisure (indoor fashion) based companies have seen less of a decline in sales. Some of these companies are Walmart, the Williams-Sonoma brands, Target, Venus, Zara, Levis, H&M, American Eagle, Walmart, discount stores like Ross, TJX brands. Bath and Body Works was slammed with unprecedented demand for some of its products, including hand sanitizer and hand soap, and has since been able to minimize projected store closings.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Dress Designers in the next 5 years?
Hope Wallace Simpara: I think that there will be an increase in demand in this field. Projects will still need to be developed, but the type of product will aim to satisfy a different customer need. Walmart had reported an increase in the sales of women's blouses and tops online during the first two months of the pandemic because of the shift to "work at home" culture. Amazon also reported an increase in "indoor fashion" category sales even though apparel sales overall had dropped. Companies that offer soft goods such as Wayfair and Williams-Sonoma have reported an uptick in furniture and soft-good sales since the pandemic started.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Dress Designers to find work opportunities?
Hope Wallace Simpara: Strangely a lot of the job postings that I have seen lately are international postings. The best places to look for employment in fashion and related industries are Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, the Midwest, Seattle and Portland, Texas, Miami and Atlanta.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Dress Designer job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Jennifer Jorgensen Ph.D.: COVID-19 accelerated the widespread use of e-commerce, and omnichannel retailing has never been more vital. Consumers are doing their research before purchasing a product, or even going into a brick-and-mortar store, making technology even more important in our word. People entering the job market know how to utilize different technologies to allow company operations to be more transparent and efficient. Job candidates must be comfortable with data analytics and forecasting future challenges. During times of industry disruption, job candidates with a broad knowledge of the industry, including product development and design, supply chain and sourcing, merchandising, and textile science will be more desirable.
Mark Boyer
Director, Robert Reich School, Reich Teaching ProfessorLouisiana State University and A&M College
College of Art and Design
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dress Designers?
Mark Boyer: I would think that those who have gone through this experience will be changed in ways we still have yet to learn. Some of those changes will be positive (adaptability, endurance, resiliency), and some may be negative (depression, loss of family members or jobs).
Barbara Anderson
Professor and HeadKansas State University
Department of Interior Design and Fashion Studies
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dress Designers?
Barbara Anderson: Design students graduating after experiencing the pandemic as a student will have a greater awareness of the health impacts of design because they will have a greater sensibility to the design challenges presented by airborne diseases. I believe they are also learning about working remotely and taking the initiative for their success, even though they do not have the usual social prompts to influence their behavior.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Dress Designers to find work opportunities?
Barbara Anderson: Our graduates gain employment across the United States with ease. I believe some use-type sectors will see a slight decline in demand, including hospitality and retail design. However, there will be plenty of professional opportunities to reimagine the post-pandemic use of existing facilities.
How do you envision technology impacting Dress Designers in the next 5 years?
Barbara Anderson: The integration of technology in buildings and the use of technology to design and communication design to clients and users will continue to accelerate in the next five years. I expect technology integrated into buildings to focus on communications, health and well-being, and Net Zero and water efficiency with the goal of resilience/sustainability.
Alan Garfield
Chair and Professor of Digital Art and Design, Director, Bisignano Art GalleryUniversity of Dubuque
Digital Art and Design Faculty
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dress Designers?
Alan Garfield: Yes, I believe there will be an enduring impact of the pandemic on graduates, but it will diminish over time. Immediately, I think our graduates will proceed more carefully in their job searches after graduation. Will they work from home? From a central workplace? (These are questions that might have entered into the interview stage will be more pertinent given students' recent experiences.) They have learned to listen more keenly via their online discussions and projects, which will be a positive effect as they move into working with clients.
What type of skills will young Dress Designers need?
Alan Garfield: Technology and creativity have always been important for graduates, but in 2020 this has become even more pressing. Creative solutions to problems involve creative use of technology but not a reliance on technology. Graduates have recently learned this thru frustration via university-level coursework during this pandemic time. Second, communication, always critical, takes on an added focus because of the technology's strengths/weaknesses. Excellent listening skills can be demonstrated easily. When an employer talks about a position, there are many ways to acknowledge what is heard. There are also ways to show that one hasn't listened to what was said. Third, demonstrating networking skills - connecting with others who do similar work - will assure the completion of tasks. Solutions via teamwork should now be a significant push by graduates.
What type of skills will young Dress Designers need?
Rich Youmans: The greatest skills that any graduate can have, not just those entering the jewelry industry, are flexibility and the ability to continuously learn new practices and procedures. For those who want to start their own businesses, a foundation in business/marketing practices will always be helpful. For bench jewelers, good hand-eye coordination is a must, but they must also take the time to learn their craft: to be able to set a gemstone without fear of it coming loose, for instance, and to do so quickly (if they're in a production shop). There are a few good schools dedicated to these skills, but many times the true learning must come through on-the-job experience.
For designers, the computer-assisted design has taken a growing role, but it doesn't compensate for that foundational knowledge: how to create designs that can hold gems securely, how to protect fragile gems, and how to ensure the piece can be manufactured, and a customer can wear the piece comfortably.
Caster may need to develop an understanding of basic metallurgical principles -- e.g., how metal flows, cools, and shrinks-but again, that can be learned on the job.
More and more custom jewelers -- jewelers who work directly with customers to create personalized pieces of custom jewelry -- and for that, the ability to listen and to solicit a customer's tastes and preferences will be crucial.
How do you envision technology impacting Dress Designers in the next 5 years?
Rich Youmans: Computer-assisted design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and lasers have become commonplace, but these technologies continue to be honed. In the past few years, 3-D printers have become more affordable, and their quality and output continue to improve. This has opened up more opportunities for jewelry at all levels to increase their productivity. Three-dimensional metal printing, in which users can take a CAD file and print them directly in metal, could disrupt the traditional casting method, but the technology isn't quite there yet -- the cost is still too exorbitant. But the best tools for jewelers are still their hands-there will always be a market for handmade work done by skilled craftsman.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dress Designers?
Linda Manikowske Ph.D.: There is no way to know what kind of long-term impact the pandemic is going to have on the global fashion industry. Even before the pandemic, we were seeing a move to more online shopping. This has necessarily increased during the pandemic, and is creating more jobs in e-commerce for graduates.
Today's graduates have the technology skills that employers are looking for, to enhance their online presence, to meet consumer demand. Consumers have also become more mindful of the environment in which we live, and are supporting companies that have a focus on sustainable practices. Graduates are looking to work for companies that have a mission to do good for the world.
How do you envision technology impacting Dress Designers in the next 5 years?
Linda Manikowske Ph.D.: Technology has moved the apparel industry forward, at a fast pace, in recent years - from computer-aided design to retail analytics. Social media platforms are providing consumer data that retail companies can use to predict trends and be more efficient in getting the right product to consumers more efficiently.
Artificial intelligence is able to more accurately predict shopper behavior, while virtual reality technology allows shoppers to try a garment on an avatar before purchasing. A key to a firm's survival will be the ability to adapt to this new landscape. In the future, fashion and technology will continue to intersect to the betterment of both industries.