Fashion Designers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,700
- 25th Percentile — Junior$94,196
- 50th Percentile — Median$114,963
- 75th Percentile — Senior$162,811
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$191,871
Half of Fashion Designers in California earn more than $114,963. The top 10% make $191,871 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,700.
Fashion Designers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- California ranks 2nd of 51 states for Fashion Designers pay, at $129,547 per year (42.0% above the U.S. average of $91,230).
- 6,470 people work as Fashion Designers in California — 30.2% of all U.S. Fashion Designers jobs.
- Location quotient 2.57: Fashion Designers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,700; the top 10% earn over $191,871.
- Hourly equivalent: $62.28 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $138,670.
- Among creative jobs in California, Art Directors pays the most ($156,060).
Fashion Designers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Fashion Designers here earn $129,547 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $129,547 is roughly equivalent to $91,230 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($138,670), Alaska ($120,424), Massachusetts ($113,650) are the closest alternatives for Fashion Designers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $156,060/yr California +20.5% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $155,750/yr California +20.2% vs this role
- News Analysts Reporters and Journalists $145,493/yr California +12.3% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $134,360/yr California +3.7% vs this role
- Editors $111,810/yr California 13.7% vs this role
- Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys $111,782/yr California 13.7% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $106,560/yr California 17.7% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $106,350/yr California 17.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Fashion Designers salary in California?
The average Fashion Designers salary in California is $129,547 per year (median $114,963), which is 42.0% above the national average of $91,230.
How does California rank for Fashion Designers pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($138,670/yr).
How much do entry-level Fashion Designers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Fashion Designers in California earn about $63,700 per year and the 25th percentile is $94,196.
How much do Fashion Designers make per hour in California?
About $62.28 per hour, based on the $129,547 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Fashion Designers work in California?
BLS counts 6,470 Fashion Designers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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