Fashion Designers
SOC Code: 27-1022 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Fashion Designers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $52,520 | $91,978 | $131,414 | $170,872 |
| Anchorage, AK | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Aguadilla, PR | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Amarillo, TX | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Ames, IA | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Alexandria, LA | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Abilene, TX | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $42,349 | $82,181 | $122,034 | $161,866 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Active Learning | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 | |
| Time Management | 3.8 | |
| Coordination | 3.8 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.8 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Design | 4.4 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
| Production and Processing | 3.2 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.2 |
| English Language | 3.1 |
| Fine Arts | 2.7 |
| Administration and Management | 2.6 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 50.7% |
| Associate's degree | 44.0% |
| High school diploma | 3.6% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 1.1% |
Typical Tasks
- Direct and coordinate workers involved in drawing and cutting patterns and constructing samples or finished garments.
- Examine sample garments on and off models, modifying designs to achieve desired effects.
- Sketch rough and detailed drawings of apparel or accessories, and write specifications such as color schemes, construction, material types, and accessory requirements.
- Confer with sales and management executives or with clients to discuss design ideas.
- Identify target markets for designs, looking at factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status.
- Attend fashion shows and review garment magazines and manuals to gather information about fashion trends and consumer preferences.
- Select materials and production techniques to be used for products.
- Provide sample garments to agents and sales representatives, and arrange for showings of sample garments at sales meetings or fashion shows.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Cloud software Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Autodesk Revit JavaScript Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word SAS Trimble SketchUp Pro Autodesk AutoCAD Design Suite
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