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Apparel Designer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does an Apparel Designer make in District of Columbia? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apparel Designer in District of Columbia is $87,747 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, an Apparel Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,131
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,942 to $96,846
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,927
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Apparel Designer Job Openings in District of Columbia

Key Factors That Influence Apparel Designer Salaries

An Apparel Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Apparel Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Apparel Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $69,532
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $85,851
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $110,230
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $153,439
  • Expert (over 8 years): $145,682
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Fashion Designer I less than 1 year $69,532
Apparel Designer 1-2 years $85,851
Fashion Designer III 2-4 years $110,230
Fashion Designer IV 5-8 years $153,439
Manager of Fashion Design over 8 years $145,682

How Do Apparel Designer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Apparel Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $87,747.
  • California: $87,414.
  • Massachusetts: $86,249.

Top Paying Cities for Apparel Designer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Parcel Return Service: $87,270
  • Washington: $87,271
  • Naval Anacost Annex: $87,267

Apparel Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Apparel Designer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Apparel Designer positions in MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Apparel Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Apparel Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale $96,521 $46.0 10%

Apparel Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Apparel Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$78,942
Average $87,747/year
$96,846
$6,579
Average $7,312/month
$8,071
$1,518
Average $1,687/week
$1,862
$38
Average $42/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $96,846 $8,071 $1,862 $47
Average $87,747 $7,312 $1,687 $42
25th Percentile $78,942 $6,579 $1,518 $38

Find Your Next Apparel Designer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Apparel Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Sigma Technologies, Ltd. | CONWAY, AR

    OSP Field Designer

    Sigma Technologies, Ltd. | CONWAY, AR

    Description: OSP Field Designer Location: Remote with Regular Fieldwork in Little Rock, AR and the surrounding areas About the Role Are you an experienced ... more

    1 Day Ago

  • DICK'S Sporting Goods | SOUTHERN PINES, NC

    Specialist Apparel

    DICK'S Sporting Goods | SOUTHERN PINES, NC

    DICK’S Sporting Goods is seeking a Specialist, Apparel to deliver an outstanding in-store experience for every athlete. In this role, you’ll lead with serv... more

    1 Day Ago

  • DICK'S Sporting Goods | GREENDALE, WI

    Team Captain Apparel

    DICK'S Sporting Goods | GREENDALE, WI

    DICK’S Sporting Goods is seeking a Team Captain, Apparel to lead a high-energy sales floor in our retail store. In this role, you’ll coach and motivate ass... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Powell Industries | TRAMMELLS, TX

    Electrical Designer

    Powell Industries | TRAMMELLS, TX

    Powell Industries is seeking an Electrical Designer to join our Engineering & Design team in the manufacturing industry. In this role, you will design and ... more

    1 Day Ago

  • GBP-Cincinnati | LEBANON, OH

    Graphics Designer

    GBP-Cincinnati | LEBANON, OH

    GBP-Cincinnati is seeking a Graphics Designer to create digital and print assets that support branding, marketing, and communications. In this role, you wi... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Green Bay Packaging | NEW BERLIN, WI

    Senior Structural Designer

    Green Bay Packaging | NEW BERLIN, WI

    Green Bay Packaging seeks a Senior Structural Designer to lead the design and development of corrugated packaging, folding cartons, and paperboard solution... more

    1 Day Ago

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Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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