What is the average Chief Fashion Designer salary for Chicago, IL?
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As of July 01, 2026, the average Chief Fashion Designer salary in Chicago, IL is $95,024. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Chief Fashion Designer job titles in Chicago, IL. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Chief Fashion Designer job titles in Chicago, IL. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Chief Fashion Designer Salaries in Chicago, IL
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Fashion Designer | $65,366 | $31.43 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer I | $65,367 | $31.43 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer II | $81,456 | $39.16 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer IV | $137,423 | $66.07 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer III | $105,161 | $50.56 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Entry | $65,370 | $31.43 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Intermediate | $81,460 | $39.16 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Senior | $105,170 | $50.56 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Lead | $137,430 | $66.07 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
| Assistant Fashion Designer | $73,157 | $35.17 | Chicago, IL | July 01, 2026 |
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Fashion Designer I is responsible for executing the fashion design strategy for an organization. Creates and manages multiple fashion design projects from conceptualization to finished product and ensures projects are aligned with the brand's identity. Being a Fashion Designer I presents design concepts and ideas to internal stakeholders. Effectively communicates design details to the product development and production teams. Additionally, Fashion Designer I determines final style, material, and color based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development, and manufacturing teams. Ensures fashion designs meet high-quality standards and adhere to approved guidelines. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in apparel/fashion design or related field. Typically reports to a manager. The Fashion Designer I work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. To be a Fashion Designer I typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Fashion Designer I Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer I, Fashion Designer Entry
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Fashion Designer II is responsible for executing the fashion design strategy for an organization. Creates and manages multiple fashion design projects from conceptualization to finished product and ensures projects are aligned with the brand's identity. Being a Fashion Designer II presents design concepts and ideas to internal stakeholders. Effectively communicates design details to the product development and production teams. Additionally, Fashion Designer II determines final style, material, and color based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development, and manufacturing teams. Ensures fashion designs meet high-quality standards and adhere to approved guidelines. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in apparel/fashion design or related field. Typically reports to a manager. The Fashion Designer II occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. To be a Fashion Designer II typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Fashion Designer II Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer II, Fashion Designer Intermediate
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Fashion Designer IV is responsible for executing the fashion design strategy for an organization. Creates and manages multiple fashion design projects from conceptualization to finished product and ensures projects are aligned with the brand's identity. Being a Fashion Designer IV presents design concepts and ideas to internal stakeholders. Effectively communicates design details to the product development and production teams. Additionally, Fashion Designer IV determines final style, material, and color based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development, and manufacturing teams. Ensures fashion designs meet high-quality standards and adhere to approved guidelines. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in apparel/fashion design or related field. Typically reports to a manager. The Fashion Designer IV work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. To be a Fashion Designer IV typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Fashion Designer IV Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer IV, Fashion Designer Lead
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Fashion Designer III is responsible for executing the fashion design strategy for an organization. Creates and manages multiple fashion design projects from conceptualization to finished product and ensures projects are aligned with the brand's identity. Being a Fashion Designer III presents design concepts and ideas to internal stakeholders. Effectively communicates design details to the product development and production teams. Additionally, Fashion Designer III determines final style, material, and color based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development, and manufacturing teams. Ensures fashion designs meet high-quality standards and adhere to approved guidelines. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in apparel/fashion design or related field. Typically reports to a manager. The Fashion Designer III work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. To be a Fashion Designer III typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Fashion Designer III Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer III, Fashion Designer Senior
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The Fashion Designer Entry determines style, material, and color directions based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development and manufacturing staff. Assists in establishing the apparel design strategy for an organization. Being a Fashion Designer Entry produces design sketches and makes seasonal presentations of product designs. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends, and supports the integrity of the lines/brands and the goals of the company. In addition, Fashion Designer Entry reviews all styles for construction, and approves quality of factory samples. Typically requires a bachelor's degree of fashion design or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Being a Fashion Designer Entry works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Working as a Fashion Designer Entry typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Fashion Designer Entry Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer I, Apparel Designer I
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The Fashion Designer Intermediate determines style, material, and color directions based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development and manufacturing staff. Develops the apparel design strategy for an organization. Being a Fashion Designer Intermediate produces design sketches and makes seasonal presentations of product designs. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends, and supports the integrity of the lines/brands and the goals of the company. In addition, Fashion Designer Intermediate reviews all styles for construction, and approves quality of factory samples. Typically requires a bachelor's degree of fashion design or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Being a Fashion Designer Intermediate gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Working as a Fashion Designer Intermediate typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. Fashion Designer Intermediate Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer II, Apparel Designer II
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The Fashion Designer Senior determines style, material, and color directions based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development and manufacturing staff. Establishes the apparel design strategy for an organization. Being a Fashion Designer Senior produces design sketches and makes seasonal presentations of product designs. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends, and supports the integrity of the lines/brands and the goals of the company. In addition, Fashion Designer Senior reviews all styles for construction, and approves quality of factory samples. Typically requires a bachelor's degree of fashion design or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Being a Fashion Designer Senior contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Working as a Fashion Designer Senior typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. Fashion Designer Senior Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer III, Apparel Designer III
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The Fashion Designer Lead determines style, material, and color directions based on input from sales/marketing, merchandising, development and manufacturing staff. Oversees the apparel design strategy for an organization. Being a Fashion Designer Lead produces design sketches and makes seasonal presentations of product designs. Keeps abreast of consumer needs and trends, and supports the integrity of the lines/brands and the goals of the company. In addition, Fashion Designer Lead reviews all styles for construction, and approves quality of factory samples. Typically requires a bachelor's degree of fashion design or its equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Fashion Designer Lead is a specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Working as a Fashion Designer Lead typically requires 8+ years of related experience. Fashion Designer Lead Salaries in Chicago, ILAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer IV, Apparel Designer IV