How much does a Chief Fashion Designer make in the United States?
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The average Chief Fashion Designer salary in the United States is $91,284 as of April 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Chief Fashion Designer positions (listed below) typically falls between $81,547 and $101,021. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Chief Fashion Designer's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Fashion Designer | $63,248 | $30.41 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer II | $78,251 | $37.62 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer I | $62,784 | $30.18 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer III | $100,993 | $48.55 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer IV | $132,018 | $63.47 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Entry | $62,790 | $30.19 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Intermediate | $78,260 | $37.63 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Lead | $132,020 | $63.47 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Fashion Designer Senior | $101,000 | $48.56 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Assistant Fashion Designer | $70,265 | $33.78 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
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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. View Fashion Designer II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer II, Fashion Designer Intermediate
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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. View Fashion Designer I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer I, Fashion Designer Entry
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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. View Fashion Designer III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer III, Fashion Designer Senior
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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. View Fashion Designer IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Apparel Designer IV, Fashion Designer Lead
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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. View Fashion Designer Entry SalaryAlternate 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. View Fashion Designer Intermediate SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer II, Apparel Designer II
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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. View Fashion Designer Lead SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer IV, Apparel Designer IV
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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. View Fashion Designer Senior SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Fashion Designer III, Apparel Designer III