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Job outlook for fashion assistants in the United States
Fashion assistant job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected fashion assistant job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 600 new jobs for fashion assistants are projected over the next decade.
Fashion assistant salaries have increased 16% for fashion assistants in the last 5 years.
There are over 6,929 fashion assistants currently employed in the United States.
There are 2,420 active fashion assistant job openings in the US.
The average fashion assistant salary is $49,812.
Are fashion assistant jobs in demand?
Fashion assistant job and salary trends over time
Fashion assistant jobs over time
Fashion assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,929 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,544 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,890 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,100 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,823 | 0.00% |
Average fashion assistant salary over time
Fashion assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,812 | $23.95 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $48,485 | $23.31 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | $47,782 | $22.97 | +7.9% |
| 2023 | $44,299 | $21.30 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $42,821 | $20.59 | +2.4% |
Fashion assistant jobs by state
Most common states for fashion assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 39,536,653 | 36 | 0% |
| 2 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 15 | 0% |
| 3 | New York | 19,849,399 | 10 | 0% |
| 4 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 8 | 0% |
| 5 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 6 | 0% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 2 | 0% |
| 7 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 2 | 0% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1 | 0% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 1 | 0% |
| 10 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1 | 0% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 1 | 0% |
| 12 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1 | 0% |
| 13 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 1 | 0% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 0 | 0% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 0 | 0% |
| 16 | Delaware | 961,939 | 0 | 0% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 0 | 0% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 0 | 0% |
Fashion Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of fashion assistant experts
Santa Monica College
North Dakota State University
What general advice would you give to a Fashion Assistant?
Gina Pisut Ph.D.: 3D Design and AI technology for fashion design and product development. Their use for improving cost, efficiency and customer experience is pivotal. However, there will never be a replacement for the human element that contributes to fashion creativity.
What Fashion Assistant 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.
What will help Fashion Assistants increase their earning potential?
Gina Pisut Ph.D.: Students should think in terms of always gaining experience or transferrable skills in every part-time job or volunteer experience. This can be incremental over time. In these positions, think in terms of build something with the company you are at. This may be a customer experience, a product, or a process. What this does is show your value to a new company and provide you a means to negotiate your worth.
Lorrie Ivas
Full-time FacultySanta Monica College
Photo, Fashion Department
What general advice would you give to a Fashion Assistant?
Lorrie Ivas: The most important skills are to be technically proficient - whether it means in the product development phase (Adobe Creative Suite, TukaTech, CLO, et al) or production tracking and/ or sales arena (AIMS360, et al). It is important to know both the "hand" skills as well as the "digital" skills, as both are important to the company you will work for as you begin your career.
What Fashion Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lorrie Ivas: Know that every single class you may have thought didn't specifically apply to 'what career you thought you wanted' will definitely benefit you and your success in the fashion industry. Your major in apparel and textiles has prepared you for the business and the art of this industry, as it is truly an art and a business. You have picked a career that you will never tire of, as you will be exposed to so many facets of the creation of fashion apparel / accessories/ textiles/interiors, et al. The fashion industry works with so many other industries that a textile designer may use their color knowledge in the beauty industry or may want to enter the lifestyle merchandising area (interiors, set design, etc.). Fashion promotion may steer one to fashion photography or styling while creating lookbooks or working on a fashion editorial. Long story short, take a chance in entering any facet of the apparel industry, as you will experience so many interesting paths that you never thought existed.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Fashion Assistants to find work opportunities?
Linda Manikowske Ph.D.: Graduates with a degree in Apparel, Retail Merchandising, and Design find work in all locations. Some find jobs in major cities working for large retail corporations, while others start their own business in a small community or rural area. There are many opportunities in this diverse industry.