The apparel industry is bursting at the seams with high-paying jobs that will make your heart skip a beat. And here’s the best part – it’s not just about working the sales floor anymore.
Fashion and apparel is a world of possibilities where your skills and talents can take you places you’ve only dreamed of.
But before we go all-in on this fashion-forward adventure, let me give you a little secret sauce. In this down-to-earth guide, I have compiled the best paying jobs in apparel that can take you straight to the top.
I’ll dish out insider tips, spill the tea on the qualifications and skills you need, and set you up for success in the apparel industry.
So, buckle up and prepare to write your own success story in apparel.
Let’s dive in, shall we?
What Are the Best Paying Jobs in Apparel?
| Serial | Job | Median Yearly Salary | Skills | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design Assistant | $41,709 | Craft Design Concepts | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2 | Fashion Designer | $85,760 | Sketch Designs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3 | Fashion Journalist | $51,194 | Writing & Storytelling | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4 | Costume Designer | $77,450 | Design Original Costumes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5 | Editorial Assistant | $44,185 | Writing & Editorial skills | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 6 | Fashion Marketing and PR | $84,115 | Organize events & Build connections | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 7 | Fit Model | $68,404 | Present yourself professionally | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 8 | Textile Designers | $77,030 | Innovative Design Skills | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 9 | Pattern Makers | $68,626 | Turn plans into physical creations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| 10 | Quality Assurance Specialists | $104,280 | Inspect clothes for defects/damage | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Also Read: High Paying Jobs in Consumer Services
1) Design Assistant
Median Yearly Salary
$41,709
Median Hourly Salary
$20
To Succeed
Craft Design Concepts
As a Design Assistant, you’ll be rocking the creative visual content game by crafting website designs, logos, flyers, and more. Your job is to ensure everything looks top-notch and meets the company’s standards while collaborating with the team to get things done on time and within budget.
What they do
- Create and develop design concepts to present to the client
- Collaborate with marketing teams
- Provide technical assistance
- Keep up with industry trends.
Skills:
- Design software skills – Adobe, Sketch, InDesign
- Creative thinking & Typography skills
- Attention to detail
2) Fashion Designer
Median Yearly Salary
$85,760
Median Hourly Salary
$41
To Succeed
Sketch Designs
Being a fashion designer is all about creating unique and eye-catching clothing and accessories that grab attention. You’ll sketch designs, choose fabrics, and craft garments to match your client’s style preferences.
Attention to detail is key as you create samples to ensure top-notch quality. And remember, staying updated with the latest fashion trends is crucial to keep your products competitive.
What they do
- Research fashion trends, fabrics, and colors
- Develops trendy concepts for design collections
- Designs apparel or accessories illustrations
- Selects appropriate fabrics for the design concept.
Skills:
- Skilled to sketch designs accurately.
- Know fabric types and textures.
- Know garment construction techniques.
- Understand current trends and the fashion industry.
3) Fashion Journalist
Median Yearly Salary
$51,194
Median Hourly Salary
$25
To Succeed
Writing & Storytelling
Fashion Journalists have an exciting job – researching trends, chatting with designers and celebs, snapping pics, and attending fabulous fashion shows. Your knowledge should extend beyond fashion, staying on top of cultural, political, and economic issues.
And don’t forget to keep up with the latest reporting tech and digital news methods. It’s all about being a savvy, versatile fashion storyteller.
What they do
- Stays up-to-date with the latest fashion trends.
- Research new stories and interview relevant people.
- Writes about fashion trends, products, designers, celebrity styles, and events.
- Attends shows, trade fairs, and events to stay informed on the latest developments.
Skills:
- Solid writing and storytelling skills
- Research and interviewing skills
- Social media savvy
- Networking and collaboration skills
4) Costume Designer
Median Yearly Salary
$77,450
Median Hourly Salary
$37
To Succeed
Design Original Costumes
If you’re stepping into the world of Costume Design, get ready for some serious creativity. Your job is to design and construct costumes for theater, film, or TV productions, collaborating closely with directors, producers, and performers.
You’ll bring characters to life through your costume magic, understanding the director’s vision and meeting their expectations. And remember, you’ll have to stay updated on fabric trends and fashion history to fuel your designs. Time to unleash your artistic genius!
What they do
- Creates and designs original costumes
- Develos sketches of costume designs.
- Sources props and accessories for the costume designs
- Researches and sources fabrics and jewelry
Skills:
- Excellent eye for detail and design
- Creativity
- Knows fabric, texture and color combinations
- Sketching, pattern making & dressmaking skills
5) Editorial Assistant
Median Yearly Salary
$44,185
Median Hourly Salary
$21
To Succeed
Writing & Editorial skills
If you’re looking to rock it as an Editorial Assistant, your main job will be helping the editorial crew by fact-checking, researching, and polishing up content. You might also get your hands dirty with vendor coordination, keeping track of publications, and making sure deadlines are met.
Oh, and don’t be surprised if you’re roped into brainstorming marketing campaigns or conducting interviews. Strong communication and people skills are a must, as you’ll be working closely with the awesome editorial team.
What they do
- Develops content or website, blog, email newsletters and social media platforms
- Develops relationships with industry influencers
- Writes creative copy and maintains brand image
- Analyses performance metrics
Skills:
- Excellent writing & editorial skills
- Digital content creation and delivery
- Social media savvy
- SEO and research skills
6) Fashion Marketing and PR
Median Yearly Salary
$84,115
Median Hourly Salary
$40
To Succeed
Organize events & Build connections
If you’re diving into the world of Fashion Marketing and PR, get ready for a wild ride. You’ll be the mastermind behind dazzling events and killer campaigns. Building connections with fashion influencers? Yep, that’s on your to-do list too.
You’ll create top-notch content from press releases to social media magic. Keep an eye on the competition and market trends to ensure your brand shines bright. Oh, and don’t forget to manage budgets and give valuable feedback to your team.
What they do
- Manages relationships with media outlets and influencers for brand awareness
- Composes press releases, newsletters, presentations, and other marketing materials
- Networks at fashion events to represent the brand
- Oversees production of campaigns, briefings, and media kits
Skills:
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Social Media Management skills (Facebook ,Twitter, Instagram)
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
7) Fit Model
Median Yearly Salary
$68,404
Median Hourly Salary
$33
To Succeed
Present yourself professionally
As a fit model, your job is to help fashion designers create and test their fabulous clothing designs. Your measurements must match the designer’s target customer, and you’ll be their real-life mannequin, trying on clothes to check the fit.
You can work in stores, modeling agencies, or even have your own contracts. Remember to rock that ideal body type, dress professionally, and nail those poses during photoshoots.
What they do
- Fits multiple sizes and styles of clothing.
- Provides feedback on fabric, color, and prints in design
- Takes part in photo shoots to showcase the product
Skills:
- Quickly follow directions from designers and stylists on the set.
- Present yourself professionally
- Eye for details
- Communication skills
8) Textile Designers
Median Yearly Salary
$77,030
Median Hourly Salary
$37
To Succeed
Innovative Design Skills
As a textile designer, you would bring life to fabrics, apparel, and other textile products with your original designs. Staying updated with the latest fashion and design trends is crucial to excel in this field.
Attention to detail is also key as you’ll apply intricate patterns and color combinations to your creations. Remember to collaborate with fellow designers throughout the development process to ensure all ideas are valued and incorporated into the final design.
What they do
- Designs and develops original textile patterns, both hand drawn and digital
- Evaluates color, texture, durability, and other characteristics of fabric samples
- Researches and analyses fashion trends
- Product innovative design ideas
Skills:
- Visualization and Innovative design skills
- Understands color, texture & pattern
- Communication and collaboration skills
9) Pattern Makers
Median Yearly Salary
$68,626
Median Hourly Salary
$33
To Succeed
Turn plans into physical creations
If you’re eager to bring ideas to life, pattern-making is where it’s at. As a pattern maker, you’ll be the master of turning plans into physical creations, from clothing to accessories. It’s a creative job that blends math, fabrication, and design.
While experience in fashion is a plus, even basic sewing knowledge is valuable. Patience and attention to detail are key ingredients for success on this path.
What they do
- Designs and creates new patterns in clothing production
- Analyses customer measurements, fabric choices, and style preferences
- Works with designers to develop new garments.
- Tracks current trends
Skills:
- An eye for detail and accuracy
- Knowledgable on clothing design and production
- Understands fabric properties and construction techniques.
- Problem-solving skills
10) Quality Assurance Specialists
Median Yearly Salary
$104,280
Median Hourly Salary
$50
To Succeed
Inspect clothes for defects/damage
If you’re diving into the role of a Quality Assurance Specialist in Apparel, your mission is to ensure those garments meet top-notch quality standards. You’ll be the detective inspecting clothes for defects or damage before they reach the customers.
Testing fabrics for durability? Yep, that’s on your checklist too. Document your findings and provide detailed feedback to tackle any issues. Your superpowers will be spotting common defects and having an eagle eye for details.
What they do
- Identifies and addresses quality issues in production
- Monitors product quality on an ongoing basis
- Tests finished products for defects and accuracy
- Trains staff on proper inspection and testing methods
Skills:
- Strong knowledge of quality assurance testing processes and procedures.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills
- Knows apparel production techniques and materials used in industry
- Communication skills
FAQs
How Do You Make a Lot of Money Working in Fashion?
Making a lot of money in the fashion industry requires dedication, hard work, and an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s important to stay on top of trends and have an eye for what looks good and is popular with customers.
Building strong relationships with retailers can also help you to establish yourself as an expert in the field and increase your earning potential. Furthermore, it’s essential to develop your marketing skills so that you can promote and sell your designs effectively.
Ultimately, if you can stay creative and consistent in releasing new products or collections, you will be well on your way to making a lot of money in fashion.
Following the below step-by-step process will help you establish a strong presence in the fashion industry.
1. Research the fashion industry thoroughly to understand the market and its opportunities.
2. Network with professionals in the industry and build relationships with those who have achieved success.
3. Choose a niche within the industry that suits your skillset and interests.
4. Invest in quality materials, tools, and equipment to ensure you have the necessary resources to succeed.
5. Create an online presence through a website, blog, or e-commerce store to showcase your work and engage with customers.
6. Participate in fashion shows, trade events, and other industry gatherings.
How We Picked These Top Paying Apparel Jobs
To identify the apparel jobs that pay well, we examined the salary levels and top skills requirements to perform the job.
Income data for all the listed jobs were sourced via reputable job sites like BLS and Salary
How Much Money Can You Make Freelancing In the Fashion Industry?
The amount of money you can make freelancing in the fashion industry will vary depending on your skills and experience.
As a freelancer, you can earn significantly more than working directly with a company, as you can set your own rates and take on as many or few jobs as desired.
Social media has made it easier than ever to build a portfolio and showcase your skills, allowing you to attract more clients and increase your earning potential. With hard work, dedication, and a passion for fashion, you can make good money freelancing in the industry – it just takes some time and perseverance!
What Freelance Jobs Make the Most Money in Fashion?
Freelance jobs in the fashion industry that make the most money include:
- Product Development
- Stylist
- Social Media Manager
- Fashion Photographer
- Fashion Designer
- Brand Ambassador
- Model Agent
- Art Director
Product development requires knowledge of fabric types and a technical understanding of garment construction, while designers must be creative, have an eye for detail, and be knowledgeable about current trends.
Styling involves putting together looks to match clients’ tastes and preferences. And, Social media management requires creating content that resonates with followers and staying up-to-date on the latest trends, tools and technologies.
What Are the Highest-Paid Jobs in the Fashion Industry?
Designers and executives typically hold the highest-paid jobs in the fashion industry.
- Designers must possess excellent creative, technical, and problem-solving skills to create unique garments that customers love.
- Executives are responsible for managing teams and budgets and strategizing on how to grow a company’s business.
Both roles can be extremely rewarding and allow for the potential to earn a substantial income.
Additionally, some fashion bloggers and influencers can make significant money through their content and company partnerships. However, this requires gaining a large following on social media platforms first.
Is Apparel a Good Career Path?
Apparel is a good career path if you’re passionate about fashion!
Working in the apparel industry allows you to combine creativity and technical knowledge to create or promote products that people will love. There are many different roles and opportunities within the industry, from designing to marketing, so you can find something that suits your skillset.
The potential to earn good money is also there, though the amount will depend on your experience and level of knowledge. It’s an exciting field that provides ample opportunities for growth and advancement.
Here are some reasons why apparel can be a great choice for your career:
- Vast opportunities – Apparel companies are always looking for new ways to stand out from the competition, thereby creating many opportunities for innovative minds in the industry.
- Specialization Options – You can specialize in different aspects of apparel such as design, production, and marketing.
- Fulfillment – By working in apparel, you have the potential to have a hand in creating products that spark joy and excitement in people.
- Successful Career – Apparel is an industry with strong potential for growth, making it ideal for those who want to build a successful long-term career.
Final Thoughts
Apparel offers an excellent career path for those seeking stability and a well-paid job.
It’s important to note that the apparel industry is experiencing rapid growth, providing abundant opportunities for advancement. By obtaining a degree in fashion or merchandising and dedicating time to building your experience and knowledge, you can position yourself for success in this dynamic field.
Take the initiative to conduct thorough research and establish connections with industry professionals, as these efforts will greatly enhance your job prospects.
Remember, numerous job openings are waiting to be filled, so don’t hesitate to put your best foot forward and dive into the world of apparel.
