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The average salary for a shoe designer in the United States is approximately $67,481 annually. Earnings can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, education, and geographic location. For instance, shoe designers in metropolitan areas often earn higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living.
According to recent data, the highest salaries are typically found in states like California and New York, where the fashion industry is prominent. In California, the average salary for a shoe designer can reach upwards of $75,000, while in New York, it averages around $72,000.
As you consider your career path, it's essential to explore various opportunities within the field. Positions in established brands or companies offer different pay scales compared to those in startups or smaller firms. Additionally, the role of a senior designer or creative director can lead to salaries exceeding $90,000 annually.
Staying informed about salary trends and job opportunities can help you make strategic decisions in your career as a shoe designer. Utilize platforms like Zippia to explore job listings, salary estimates, and insights into the industry.
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The highest-paying states for shoe designers are Nevada, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The lowest average shoe designer salary states are Wyoming, Hawaii, and Minnesota.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $80,629 | $38.76 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $82,611 | $39.72 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $83,114 | $39.96 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $80,302 | $38.61 |
| 5 | Washington | $72,591 | $34.90 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $78,859 | $37.91 |
| 7 | Utah | $71,529 | $34.39 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $73,469 | $35.32 |
| 9 | Nevada | $90,754 | $43.63 |
| 10 | California | $75,075 | $36.09 |
| 11 | Delaware | $81,501 | $39.18 |
| 12 | New York | $70,788 | $34.03 |
| 13 | Maine | $68,838 | $33.10 |
| 14 | Idaho | $69,924 | $33.62 |
| 15 | Vermont | $66,768 | $32.10 |
| 16 | Missouri | $65,510 | $31.50 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $67,292 | $32.35 |
| 18 | Maryland | $63,283 | $30.42 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $63,495 | $30.53 |
| 20 | Ohio | $59,127 | $28.43 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $64,219 | $30.87 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | $57,844 | $27.81 |
| 23 | Arizona | $58,336 | $28.05 |
| 24 | Georgia | $56,387 | $27.11 |
| 25 | Michigan | $53,477 | $25.71 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| 27 | Oklahoma | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| 28 | Virginia | $56,017 | $26.93 |
| 29 | Alaska | $63,246 | $30.41 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $58,844 | $28.29 |
| 32 | Colorado | $55,396 | $26.63 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $55,771 | $26.81 |
| 34 | Texas | $54,266 | $26.09 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $50,641 | $24.35 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $57,475 | $27.63 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $52,513 | $25.25 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $54,951 | $26.42 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $52,279 | $25.13 |
| 40 | Minnesota | $47,412 | $22.79 |
| 41 | Florida | $53,337 | $25.64 |
| 42 | Indiana | $52,813 | $25.39 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $52,353 | $25.17 |
| 44 | Alabama | $50,728 | $24.39 |
| 45 | Montana | $52,126 | $25.06 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $51,929 | $24.97 |
| 47 | Illinois | $42,456 | $20.41 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $49,221 | $23.66 |
| 49 | Kansas | $42,534 | $20.45 |
| 50 | Iowa | $40,959 | $19.69 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $48,130 | $23.14 |
The highest-paying cities for shoe designers are New York, NY, Teaneck, NJ, and Houston, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $71,016 | $34.14 |
| 2 | Teaneck, NJ | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $53,153 | $25.55 |
| 4 | Hialeah, FL | $51,544 | $24.78 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $42,598 | $20.48 |
A shoe designer's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $111,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $111,000 | $9,250 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $7,250 | $42 |
| Average | $67,481 | $5,623 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
The highest paying types of shoe designers are fashion director, fashion design internship, and designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fashion Stylist | $45,524 | $3,794 | $21.89 | 13,031 |
| Fashion Internship | $49,534 | $4,128 | $23.81 | 49,151 |
| Apparel Designer | $65,467 | $5,456 | $31.47 | 46,436 |
| Fashion Designer | $54,265 | $4,522 | $26.09 | 49,476 |
| Designer | $66,347 | $5,529 | $31.90 | 52,433 |
Top companies hiring shoe designers now:
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I.T. Consortium | $78,794 | $37.88 |
| 2 | SIGA Technologies | $71,235 | $34.25 |
The average shoe designer salary has risen by $9,898 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average shoe designer earned $57,583 annually, but today, they earn $67,481 a year. That works out to a 16% change in pay for shoe designers over the last decade.
Compare shoe designer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare shoe designer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $67,500 | $32.44 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $65,700 | $31.58 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $64,700 | $31.12 | +7.3% |
| 2022 | $60,000 | $28.85 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | $58,000 | $27.89 | +2.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Varvatos Enterprises, Inc. | Assistant Shoe Designer | New York, NY | 03/27/2025 | $50,088 |
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