Most fashion lovers interested in the apparel industry usually prefer securing the best paying jobs in apparel industry. The common misconception about the best paying jobs in apparel is that they only created the industry for fashion and clothing, but this is not true.
There is absolutely nothing to hate in the fashion world, even when you are not interested in the creativity involved in making something beautiful, you can always opt for the finance section of the apparel industry.
Most fashion students dream of securing the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industries. And not only will students interested in this industry get to develop their skills, but they will also gain various sets of skills, experiences, and abilities.
A lot workers in the apparel/fashion industry usually get to work with models, actresses, and actors. While the fashion/apparel industry provides and creates advanced designs and styles for its clients. Most workers in this industry will get to work on clothing, bags, and shoe lines. The main duty of an appeal/fashion worker is to create designs for clothes, footwear, and/or bag.
Securing the best paying jobs in apparel may be overwhelming, but also in the same apparel/fashion industry, you can choose to become your own boss by creating your clothing, bags, or shoe lines. The main purpose of this overview is to give you an insight into the best paying job in apparel/fashion industry.
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Is Apparel/Fashion a Good Career Path?
Yes. The apparel/fashion industry is one of the most active industries in the world today. There are thousands of career opportunities for all levels in the industry. One of the best parts of working in this industry is that most of the best paying jobs in apparel industry do not require a long-term educational program.
Although earning a degree in apparel/fashion will help you secure the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry and also assure job security.
What are the Duties of the Apparel/Fashion Industry?
Here are the duties of an apparel/fashion designer:
- #1. As a fashion designer, you will create designs for collections
- #2. The fashion industry decides on the price for collections and accessories
- #3. The fashion industry makes research for new fabrics and provides ideas for new designs
- #4. They create a sketch with their hand, for new ideas on what dress they should sew/create.
- #5. They create and promote different types of clothing.
What are the Types of Employees in the Apparel/fashion industry?
These are the different types of fashion designers, which include:
1. Footwear designer:
A footwear designer also called a shoe designer is someone who creates new designs and visualizes footwear.
2. Apparel designer:
An apparel designer is someone who creates and comes up with new ideas for clothing, and footwear.
3. Haute couture designer:
An haute couture designer is a professional who creates a high-class or extravagant dress for elites.
4. Accessory designer:
An accessory designer is an expert who creates new designs for bags, shoes, jewelry, and hats.
5. Mass market designer:
A mass-market designer is an individual who produces and creates designs and makes them available to people at affordable prices.
What are the Basic Requirements Needed to Work in the Apparel/Fashion Industry?
To work in the apparel/fashion industry, you need a degree in the fashion industry or a related subject. Although fashion might be an art, at the same time it is also a career that requires you to be an expert/professional and that is why you need to have a degree.
What is the Apparel Industry?
The apparel industry is an organization that produces all types of fabric for clothing. While an apparel/fashion designer’s job is to be creative and to come up with different ideas for new designs. They also decide on prices for the collections and also make research for new and trending designs and clothing.
What are the Qualifications Needed in the Apparel/Fashion Industry?
A lot of people say a degree is not needed in this career path which is 100 percent false. Because an apparel/fashion designer must at least take 6 classes in fashion or apparel to become a professional.
Having the necessary qualifications will enable you to get one of the best paying jobs in apparel.
Here is a list of qualifications needed in the apparel/fashion industry:
1. High school diploma or GED:
For individuals interested in the apparel/fashion industry, you need to have a high school diploma, GED, or something equivalent to that. This will help you secure the best paying job in apparel/fashion industry. The more you advance in your education, skills, and experience, the better you will become at what you do.
2. Associate degree in fashion design:
An associate degree in fashion would help students obtain more skills in fashion, this degree also helps fashion designers acquire job opportunities in the apparel industry.
3. Bachelor’s degree in fashion:
A bachelor’s degree assists/helps designers know more about fashion and help them be an expert/professional in designing. A bachelor’s degree also helps you get various job opportunities in this industry.
What are the Important Courses Needed for the Apparel/Fashion Industry?
To have a degree in fashion design, you must at least study one of these courses:
- Fashion illustration
- Fashion marketing
- Cad ( computer-aided design)
- Elements of fashion and design
- Pattern making
- Fashion ornamentation
- Clothing culture and communication
- History of costume
- Art and design
- Merchandising, etc.
What are the Skills Required for an Apparel/Fashion Designer?
A lot of people ask what skills they need to become a professional or an expert in this field. The main skills you need to become an expert in the apparel/fashion industry include:
i. Visualizing skills:
As a fashionista, you need to be creative and also have the ability to create something different from your imagination.
ii. Styling abilities:
You need to have various or basic styling abilities that will help you create something different:
iii. Sewing skills:
his skill is crucial for individuals who specialize in fashion design.
iv. Leadership skills:
As an individual looking forward to a leadership role, you need this skill.
v. Detail-oriented:
Regardless of your duty, you need to be detail-oriented as this will help you in the long run of your career.
vi. Creativity:
You need to develop your ability to create new ideas.
#vii. Other skills may include Basic computer skills, strong communication skills, artistic ability, ability to sketch, and others.
While you’re here, you may want to check out: How Much Does A Website Designer Make?
What is the Average Salary of a Fashion Designer?
According to the bureau of labor statistics, the 2021 median salary of a fashion designer is $77,450 per year and $37.24 per hour. As of March 2022, salary.com stated that the average salary for a fashion designer is $100,854. This pattern shows a positive sign in the apparel/fashion industry as there is room for growth.
20 Best Paying Jobs in Apparel/Fashion Industry
Here is a list of the best paying jobs in apparel:
1. Model:
One of the most lucrative and best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is modeling. As a model, you become a swimsuit model, footwear model, jewelry model, catwalk model, lingerie model, or fitness model.
Who is a model? A fashion model is someone who works with the fashion industry, brands, and designers, they also promote and advertise clothing, designs, collections, and accessories for fashion industries.
A model is required to be confident, have good communication skills interpersonal skills, styling skills, and also to be intelligent.
Average salary: a model earns an average of $125,457 annually.
2. Designer:
One of the top paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is fashion designing. As a fashion designer, you can become an haute couture designer, apparel designer, footwear and sportswear designer, and jewelry designer.
Who is a designer? A fashion designer is someone who sketches and plans the layout of a dress, they also decide and create the designs to use for a dress.
Average salary: a designer earns an average of $61,260 annually.
3. Personal stylist:
The personal stylist role is one of the top paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry.
Who is a personal stylist? A personal stylist is someone who makes researches and creates trending outfits for individuals.
As a personal stylist, you need to develop your confidence level, research, and creativity skills. You also be attentive to details and have a basic understanding of art and designs.
Average salary: a personal stylist earns an average of $17.17 per hour.
4. Fashion illustrator:
One of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is as a fashion illustrator. As a fashion illustrator, you can become an art illustrator, pencil illustrator, flat sketch illustrator, or croquis illustrator.
Who is a fashion illustrator? A fashion illustrator is someone who brings up ideas by drawing and sketching what a dress should look like.
Average salary: a fashion illustrator earns an average of $50,910 annually.
5. Costume designer:
One of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is costume designer. As a costume designer, you can become a historical costume designer, a modern costume designer, or a dance costume designer.
Who is a costume designer? A costume designer designs and creates costume outfits for actors, actresses, and film industries.
As a costume designer, you need to develop your interpersonal skills, communication skills, creativity skills, sewing skills, negotiating and problem-solving skills.
Average salary: a costume designer earns an average of $40,735 annually.
6. Make-up artist:
One of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is the make-up artist job position. As a make-up artist, you can become a wedding make-up artist, salon make-up artist, beauty brand makeup artist, fashion make-up artist, or make-up trainer.
Who is a make-up artist? A makeup artist is an expert or professional who applies cosmetics to change and beautify people’s looks.
Skills required for a makeup artist: confidence, good communication skills, creativity, styling skills, knowledge about cosmetic products, and more.
Average salary: a makeup artist earns an average of $32.23 per hour.
7. Hairdresser:
The hairdresser job position is one of the top paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry. As a hairdresser, you can become a hairstylist, wig maker, hair care professional, or braider.
Who is a hairdresser? A hairdresser can also be called a hairstylist. These are professionals whose field is to cut and style hair, to the satisfaction of their clients.
Average salary: a hairdresser earns an average of $27,729 annually.
8. Shoe designer:
A shoe designer job position is one of the high paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry. As a shoe designer, you can become a heels designer, boot designer, or sandal designer.
Who is a shoe designer? A shoe designer is a professional who specializes in creating footwear and creating footwear designs.
Skills required for a footwear designer: knowledge of products, creativity, communication skills, good sketching and drawing skills, and being attentive to detail.
Average salary: a shoe designer earns an average of $75,943 annually.
9. Merchandiser:
A merchandiser job position is one of the high paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry. As a merchandiser, you can become a visual, retail, product, digital, or fashion merchandiser.
Who is a merchandiser? A merchandiser is someone who buys and sells goods, and a merchandiser is also in charge of the advancement of goods and products.
Skills required for a merchandiser: professional skills, interpersonal and communication skills, confidence, creativity, and basic computer skills.
Average salary: a merchandiser earns an average of $28,999 annually.
10. Tailor:
One of the top paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is tailoring. As a tailor, you have to measure clients and make sure their dress fits perfectly.
Who is a tailor? A tailor also called a dressmaker is someone whose job is to sew and mend clothes. They measure their clients to make sure that the clothes will fit perfectly.
A tailor is also a creative expert who is in charge of creating and designing outfits for women, men, and children.
Skills required for a tailor: good sewing skills, creativity, outstanding design skills, intelligence, and competitive skills.
Average salary: a tailor earns an average of $42,166 annually.
11. Jewelry designer:
One of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is jewelry designing.
Who is a jewelry designer? A jewelry designer is an expert who creates jewelry by using gold, silver, and gemstones. They sketch designs and assembly the number of golds, gemstones, and diamonds required to make a necklace or earrings.
Skills required for a jewelry designer: creativity, ability to sketch, drawing skills, knowledge of gemstones and golds, and artistic skills.
Average salary: a jewelry designer an average of $50,408 annually.
12. Pattern cutter:
One of the top paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is pattern cutter. As a pattern cutter, you can become a drafting pattern cutter, creative pattern cutter, match pattern cutter, or productive pattern cutter.
Who is a pattern cutter? A pattern cutter is an expert who draws and creates patterns used to sew custom designs or garments. If you’re thinking of becoming a pattern cutter you will work together and in cooperation with a machinist and also provide or create samples for clothes.
Skills required for a pattern cutter: technical skills, creativity, attention to detail, computer skills, and design skills.
Average salary: a pattern cutter an average of $33,924 annually.
13. Retail buyer:
A retail buyer job position is one of the high paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry.
A retail buyer is an expert who is accountable for purchasing goods that are sold in retail stores. They purchase brands of products from a retail company.
Skills required for a retail buyer: knowledge of the products, commercial knowledge, good communication skills, negotiating skills, confidence, and boldness.
Average salary: a retail buyer an average of $55,199 annually.
Also, check out: 20 Dream Jobs That Are Not in Your Mind but Really Exist | 2022
14. Textile designer:
A textile design job position is one of the top paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry.
Who is a textile designer? A textile designer is a professional who creates designs for fabrics, carpets, and clothes. A textile designer also makes samples of clothes designed for their clients.
Skills required to be a textile designer: creative skills, good communication skills, confidence, intelligence, and negotiation skills.
Average salary: a textile designer has an average of $60,127 annually.
15. Fabric researcher:
One of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is fabric research.
Who is a fabric researcher? A fabric researcher is a professional whose career path is about details of fabric material. A fabric researcher works with fabric or textile industries to produce new ideas and improve fabric materials
Skills required for a fabric researcher: attention to detail, problem-solving skills, intelligence, creativity, and writing skills.
Average salary: a fabric researcher has an average of $51,665 annually.
16. Product developer:
A product developer job position is one of the high paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry.
Who is a product developer? A product developer is an expert who produces ideas and creates new products. A product developer also helps companies support and enhance their recent products.
Skills required for a product developer: good communication skills, problem-solving skills, intelligence, analysis of the data, confidence, etc.
Average salary: a product developer has an average of $65,975 annually.
17. Art director:
A product developer job position is one of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry.
Who is an art director? An art director is a professional who monitors the work of all designers, they are also in charge of advertising, ad magazine, newspapers, and broadcasting.
Skills required for an art manager: professional skills, good communication skills, advertising skills, interpersonal skills, and marketing skills.
Average salary: an art director has an average of $128,032 annually.
18. Fashion editor:
A fashion editor job position is one of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry.
Who is a fashion editor? A fashion editor is someone who monitors the procedure of developing content for fashion magazines, newspapers, blogs, and radio programs. A fashion editor writes down reviews and reports of trends.
Skills required for a fashion editor: good editing skills, interpersonal skills, writing skills, ability to make research, and problem-solving skills.
Average salary: a fashion editor has an average of $55,207 annually.
19. Photographer:
A photographer job position is one of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry. You can become a wedding photographer, travel photographer, food photographer, or sports photographer.
Who is a photographer? A photographer is a professional or an expert in the field of recording events, taking pictures, or someone who continuously takes pictures all the time
Skills required for a photographer: artistic skills, creativity, interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of how to hold the camera.
Average salary: a photographer an average of $43,114 annually.
20. Fashion public relations manager:
One of the high paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry is a fashion Public relations manager.
Who is a fashion Public relations manager? They are professionals in charge of the public relations of an individual/company. They often promote those they are managing and create positive awareness for their brand.
Skills required for a fashion Public relations manager: managerial skills, interpersonal skills, writing skills, ability to make research, and problem-solving skills.
Average salary: a fashion Public relations manager earns an average of $62,039 annually.
FAQs Best Paying Jobs in Apparel
Can I get a job in the apparel/fashion industry?
Yes. With the basic requirements and skills, you can get the best paying jobs in apparel.
Do I need a degree to get a job in the apparel/fashion industry?
Yes. To get a job in the apparel/fashion industry, you need a degree that is relevant to the position you’re applying for.
What skills should I develop to get a job?
You should endeavor to develop the skills that are needed for the job you’re applying for.
What is the average salary of an employee in the apparel/fashion industry?
The average salary of an employee in the apparel/fashion industry is $66,563.
Can I get a job in the apparel/fashion industry with a high school diploma or a GED?
Conclusion
There is never a dull day in the fashion world, this glamorous industry is simply interested in making the world a beautiful place with their creativity.
For adventurous individuals, one of the perks involved in working in this industry is that, have the opportunity of traveling interstates or internationally.
And that is why we have created a list of the best paying jobs in apparel/fashion industry, with the hope that you decide the best one for yourself.
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