Fashion Designer salary in Madison, WI
Fashion Designers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $57,030 a year ($27.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,180 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $80,960. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $57,030. There are 0.16 fashion designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fashion designers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| 25th percentile | $50,890 | $24.46 |
| Median | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| 75th percentile | $75,770 | $36.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,180 | $49.61 |
| Average (mean) | $64,560 | $31.04 |
Half of fashion designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,752.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,376.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,193.46 |
| Weekly | $1,096.73 |
| Hourly | $27.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fashion Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $46,150 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for fashion designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $103,520 |
| New Jersey | $101,610 |
| New Hampshire | $100,160 |
| New York | $98,640 |
| Colorado | $94,140 |
| Virginia | $94,120 |
| Ohio | $82,050 |
| Washington | $82,030 |
| Connecticut | $81,510 |
| Vermont | $79,610 |
See Fashion Designer pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Art Director | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Floral Designer | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fashion designer make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for fashion designers in the Madison, WI metro area is $57,030 a year, or $27.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fashion designers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of fashion designers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $103,180 a year. The top 25% earn $75,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for fashion designers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,190 a year, and a quarter of fashion designers earn $50,890 or less.
How many fashion designers work in Madison, WI?
About 70 fashion designers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.