How much does a Fashion designer make

  1. Salary statistics
  2. Fashion designer
Image that illustrates Fashion designer

Fashion designer

48 100 kr

Other designers and creators

39 200 - 54 200 kr / month

Women earn 84% of what men do.

Kultur, media, design

What will be the salary after tax?

Salary progression Fashion designer

Average salary 48 100 kr
Males 53 800 kr
Females 44 900 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 8 Vacant jobs ->

What does a fashion designer do? – Tasks and work environment

A fashion designer works with visualizing clothing designs and fashion collections through illustrations, sketches, and digital images. Tasks include interpreting design ideas, creating presentation materials for collections, and communicating with designers, buyers, and product developers. Fashion designers can work for fashion houses, agencies, or as freelancers, and the work environment varies between office, studio, and remote work. Creativity, accuracy, and a sense of trends are central qualities in the profession.

Salary development over time

Over the past three years, fashion designers' salaries have shown relatively stable development with some variation. In 2022, the average salary was 47,400 SEK per month, followed by a temporary decrease to 46 300 SEK in 2023, which corresponds to a decrease of about 2.3%. Between 2023 and 2024, the salary increased significantly to 48 100 SEK, a rise of approximately 3.9%. Salary development is influenced by demand for creative professions, the fashion industry's economic cycle, and specialized education. Gender pay gaps persist, and work experience and geographic location can also impact salary levels within the profession.

Fashion designer salary – comprehensive overview

  • Average salary: 48 100 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 39,200 SEK/month (men), 42,900 SEK/month (women)
  • Highest salary: 54,200 SEK/month (men), 52,200 SEK/month (women)
  • Hourly wage: 289 SEK
  • Gender differences: Women earn 84% of what men do (men 53 800 SEK, women 44 900 SEK)
  • Regional differences: Data unavailable

Education and qualifications

The educational path for fashion designers often involves art or design studies at university or vocational college, with a focus on fashion and illustration. Practical experience through internships or freelance projects is common and enhances competitiveness. In addition to formal education, building a strong portfolio and staying updated on digital tools and design software is important.

  • Formal degree: Art or design education (2–4 years)
  • Certifications/courses: Courses in digital illustration, Adobe Creative Suite
  • Internships/traineeships: Common in fashion houses or design agencies
  • Prerequisites: Basic artistic skills and interest in fashion
  • Tips for choosing: Focus on building a professional portfolio and networking within the industry

Many fashion designers combine their work with other creative roles, such as graphic design or textile design. This versatility makes the profession dynamic and offers more opportunities for specialization within the fashion industry.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensations

Fashion designers are often offered benefits such as wellness allowances, flexible working hours, and remote work options. Other common compensations include staff discounts on fashion products, professional development, and access to industry fairs or creative networks. In some cases, bonuses linked to projects or collections are also provided.

Competition and challenges

The competition within the fashion design profession is intense, especially as it attracts many talented creatives with high education levels. One of the biggest challenges is standing out in an industry where demand for unique and modern expressions is high. Digitalization has also transformed the job market, with skills in advanced software and digital illustration being essential. Job insecurity often leads many to work as freelancers or on project basis, which can mean irregular income periods. However, the industry offers room for personal development and the opportunity to influence trends and the fashion world.

Tips for aspiring fashion designers

To succeed as a fashion designer, it is important to combine creativity with technical skills and a strong sense of trends. Developing a unique style and building a professional portfolio are crucial for attracting clients. Networking within the fashion industry provides valuable contacts and collaboration opportunities. Patience and perseverance are key, as establishing oneself often requires hard work and continuous development. Flexibility makes it easier to adapt when tasks and techniques change rapidly. Investing time in learning new digital tools and following international fashion trends enhances competitiveness.

Key facts about fashion designers

  • Education level: Post-secondary education in design or art
  • Work environment: Varies between studio, office, and remote work
  • Typical employment: Project-based or freelance
  • Demand: Around 620 job openings in the profession
  • Gender distribution: Majority women but lower average salary

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, a fashion designer can advance to roles such as lead designer, art director, or specialized illustrator within larger fashion companies. Opportunities also exist to start their own business or work as a consultant in the fashion industry. According to the Employment Service's forecast, no specific assessment is made for the fashion design profession due to limited data, but the "Other designers and creators" category reports about 620 job openings. Technological development and the global nature of the fashion industry continue to provide good opportunities for those who are flexible and stay updated on digital tools and trends.

Frequently asked questions about fashion designers

  • What does a fashion designer earn?
    - The average salary for a fashion designer is 48 100 SEK per month.
  • What are the gender differences in salary for fashion designers?
    - Men earn 53 800 SEK and women 44 900 SEK, which means women earn 84% of men's salaries.
  • What education is required to become a fashion designer?
    - Post-secondary education in design or art is recommended, often 2–4 years.
  • What is the job market like for fashion designers?
    - There are approximately 620 job openings, but competition is high and many work freelance.
  • Are there significant salary differences within the profession?
    - Yes, the highest salary is 54,200 SEK and the lowest 39,200 SEK, depending on education, gender, and sector.
  • What personal qualities are important?
    - Creativity, accuracy, and trend awareness are key to success in the profession.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-13 01:59:21

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Fashion designer is 54200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Private sector with a post-secondary education, less than 3 years. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 52200 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Fashion designer is 39200 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed workers. The lowest salary for a woman in this profession is 42900 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
25-34 87% 41100 kr 41200 kr
35-44 83% 48000 kr 48100 kr
45-54 82% 57700 kr 58000 kr
55-64 48100 kr 48200 kr
Snitt 84% 47900 kr 48100 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Fashion designer has the SSYK code 2179, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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