As of May 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Fashion Designer Lead in the United States is $123,920. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $105,083 to a high of $136,433, with most professionals earning between $114,060 and $130,470.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $130,470 | $10,873 | $2,509 | $63 |
| Average | $123,920 | $10,327 | $2,383 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $114,060 | $9,505 | $2,193 | $55 |
An entry-level Fashion Designer Lead with less than 1 year of experience earns about $119,947. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $120,682. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $121,418. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $122,448, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $124,409.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Fashion Designer Lead | $119,947 |
| Intermediate Level Fashion Designer Lead | $120,682 |
| Senior Level Fashion Designer Lead | $121,418 |
| Specialist Level Fashion Designer Lead | $122,448 |
| Expert Level Fashion Designer Lead | $124,409 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 1% |
| Experienced | 0% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of May 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Fashion Designer Lead compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $116,651 in 2023 to approximately $115,539 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Fashion Designer Lead salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Fashion Designer Lead information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Fashion Designer Lead job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Fashion Designer Lead and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $123,920 | 66.4% | ||
| Bonus | $15,780 | 8.5% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $10,687 | 5.7% | ||
| 401K/403B | $4,331 | 2.3% | ||
| Disability | $1,397 | 0.7% | ||
| Healthcare | $5,819 | 3.1% | ||
| Pension | $7,404 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $17,194 | 9.2% | ||
| Total Compensation | $186,531 | 100% | ||
The highest salary for a Fashion Designer Lead is $144,550. While salaries can vary, the minimum salary starts at $113,760, with a mid-range salary of $130,600. This reflects a more competitive pay scale compared to the broader industry averages.
The lowest paid Fashion Designer Lead earns a minimum salary of $113,760. In contrast, the median salary for this role is $130,600, while the highest earners can make up to $144,550. This reflects a significant increase compared to the general fashion designer salary data.
In the fashion industry, the title 'Creative Director' or 'Head Designer' often carries the highest salary potential, typically ranging from $113,760 to $144,550. These positions hold the reins of creative vision for a brand, influencing major design decisions, collections, and overall aesthetic direction, with a mid-salary around $130,600.
While CEO positions are often cited as the highest paying jobs, a Lead Fashion Designer also commands a significant salary. With a minimum salary of $113,760, a mid-range salary of $130,600, and a maximum salary of $144,550, this role involves overseeing design teams, creating innovative fashion concepts, and driving brand vision in a competitive industry.
The US is an excellent place for fashion designing, boasting prestigious fashion schools that provide a thorough education in the field. With a lead fashion designer's salary ranging from $113,760 to $144,550, the industry offers promising financial prospects alongside creative opportunities. This combination makes the US an attractive destination for aspiring fashion designers.
The 'Head Designer' or 'Creative Director' is the highest-paid role in the fashion industry, with a salary range from $113,760 to $144,550. These professionals are responsible for the creative vision of the brand and make significant design decisions, reflecting their expertise and leadership in the field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
