Fashion Designer salary in Massachusetts
Fashion Designers in Massachusetts earn a median of $103,520 a year ($49.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,250 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $80,960. Massachusetts ranks 1st of 23 states for fashion designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 fashion designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $113,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fashion designers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| 25th percentile | $81,390 | $39.13 |
| Median | $103,520 | $49.77 |
| 75th percentile | $138,880 | $66.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,250 | $83.77 |
| Average (mean) | $113,650 | $54.64 |
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 | $8,626.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,313.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,981.54 |
| Weekly | $1,990.77 |
| Hourly | $49.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fashion Designer salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $106,630 | 480 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $61,360 | 90 |
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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Art Director | $149,320 | $71.79 |
| Interior Designer | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $101,720 | $48.90 |
| Floral Designer | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $74,540 | $35.84 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $94,890 | $45.62 |
| Craft Artist | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $55,130 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Editor | $83,170 | $39.99 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for fashion designers in Massachusetts is $103,520 a year, or $49.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fashion designers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of fashion designers in Massachusetts earn at least $174,250 a year. The top 25% earn $138,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for fashion designers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,710 a year, and a quarter of fashion designers earn $81,390 or less.
How many fashion designers work in Massachusetts?
About 540 fashion designers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.