Fashion Designer salary in New Jersey
Fashion Designers in New Jersey earn a median of $101,610 a year ($48.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,470 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $80,960. New Jersey ranks 2nd of 23 states for fashion designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.04 fashion designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $103,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fashion designers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,790 | $31.63 |
| 25th percentile | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| Median | $101,610 | $48.85 |
| 75th percentile | $126,530 | $60.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,470 | $63.69 |
| Average (mean) | $103,480 | $49.75 |
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 | $8,467.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,233.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,908.08 |
| Weekly | $1,954.04 |
| Hourly | $48.85 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $99,560 | 5,540 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $78,890 | 170 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Floral Designer | $45,190 | $21.73 |
| Designers, All Other | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,500 | $41.10 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for fashion designers in New Jersey is $101,610 a year, or $48.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fashion designers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of fashion designers in New Jersey earn at least $132,470 a year. The top 25% earn $126,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for fashion designers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,790 a year, and a quarter of fashion designers earn $80,960 or less.
How many fashion designers work in New Jersey?
About 160 fashion designers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.