If you are considering a career in the fashion industry, there is no time like the present to seize the opportunity. The fashion industry is currently undergoing an unprecedented economic upswing. According to Oberlo, the fashion industry will surpass the $200 billion mark by 2024, with sales expected to reach $80 billion. This is an overall growth of 60% in sales and an 11.68% average annual growth rate. There are several different types of fashion businesses in the industry. Let’s find the perfect fit for you.
The types of fashion businesses are:
- Brands
- E-commerce
- Import and Wholesale
- Sportswear
- Footwear
- Manufacturing
Each of these careers listed above is an occupation that you can choose if you want to work in the fashion industry or start a business with. In this article, we will take a look at these jobs individually, breaking them down and looking at the many different aspects of how they would benefit someone who wants to work in fashion. We will see how each of the occupations listed fits into the fashion industry, and what is required of you if you want to work in that field. I will also include the median salary for each of these jobs. Let’s read along to see if any of these jobs will suit you.
Fashion Brands
When you think about going to work in the fashion industry, being a designer for a famous fashion brand is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, there is so much more to do when you work for a fashion brand than designing apparel. Marketing is another important aspect of working in this field. After all, without marketing, you would not be able to sell all of the clothing that your designers worked hard at creating. Another facet of working for a clothing brand is working in public relations, where you are responsible for making your company’s image appealing and engaging to the general public.
Now that we have gathered some information regarding what occupations fall under fashion brands, let’s take a look at the median salary for this job. Per the website Indeed, the median salary for a fashion designer is $15.98 per hour. Of course, several factors will contribute to your salary. A few of these include experience, level of education, and where you work. To see a state-by-state breakdown of the salary of a fashion designer, click this link. The problem with working in the fashion industry is that there are more designers than jobs, so there’s not much job security.
E-commerce
Ecommerce, which is offering services related to electronic means, is a booming part of the fashion industry. These days, most people are making the majority of their purchases online. This also applies to purchasing apparel, accessories, and footwear. While fashion e-commerce predominantly pertains to selling apparel, marketing is also another avenue that you can pursue with this occupation. With Trends pointing more and more toward using electronics as a part of our everyday lives, job security in the e-commerce field looks promising.
Let’s get down to the heart of the matter. How much can you make by working in the fashion industry through e-commerce? Well, according to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an individual working in fashion e-commerce is approximately $18 per hour, which equates to around $38,174 per year. However, you may experience some fluctuation in what you can earn. Salaries have been reported as low as $17,500 per year, and as high as 94,500 annually. Although, the amount of money that you can earn in this occupation will be influenced by the market.
Import and Wholesale
If you enjoy meeting people and the challenge of acquiring new customers, importing and wholesaling is the perfect job for you if you want to work in fashion. Working in import and wholesale for the fashion industry is the act of importing apparel, and then selling it to retail outlets and other customers. Most importers have licensed custom brokers who work for larger firms, rather than an individual operation. You will also need to make sure that you have all of the necessary licenses and certifications, such as the Certified Customs Specialist (CCS).
If you were wondering how much money and importer and exporter in the fashion industry mates, I have an answer for you. Comparably says that the average salary for an import and export manager is $89,131 per year, with typical salaries fluctuating between $89,131 and $108,010 annually. Because of the rapid pace required to keep up with the top around the world, the job forecast for individuals working import-export and wholesale looks pretty good for the future.
Sportswear
Although it was once only worn for sports competitions, sportswear has become a major player in the fashion industry. Brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Converse are just as likely to be worn by people walking down the street than they are by people participating in sporting events. Sportswear covers a broad area, with products ranging from jackets to tracksuits to athletic socks. and the competition to grab a share in this market is quite fierce. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the sportswear market is always looking to hire new people and has good job security.
While it sounds like getting into sportswear is quite a wise choice for someone who wants to work in the fashion industry, there is still the question of how well sportswear pays its employees. Although different companies will have salaries that vary, we can turn to Columbia Sportswear for an example of the pay you can expect by working in sportswear. According to Zippia, the highest paid employees at Columbia Sportswear make approximately $56,000 per year, while the lowest paid employees are paid roughly $13,000 per year.
Footwear
If you are looking for one of the hottest, up-and-coming markets in the fashion industry, look no further than footwear. While this may sound quite similar to sportswear, many of the larger businesses that manufacture sportswear have a group of individuals whose sole task is to design and produce footwear for those fashion and sportswear brands. A prime example of one of these companies is Nike. Although they are known for producing sportswear, they are primarily known for their footwear. This is one example of where footwear came first, and athletic apparel followed.
Because footwear is such a hot commodity in the fashion industry, job security is second to none. Besides, many of these businesses are constantly expanding their lines to introduce new shoes every couple of months. That’s enough to keep anybody busy. Unfortunately, that’s the good news. The bad news is that working in footwear will not make you excessively wealthy. Per ZipRecruiter, the average person working in Footwear makes around $18 per hour or $36,785 per year. Keep in mind that this is the median salary. Several things may help you to increase your pay, such as your level of education and your experience.
Top Items You Need To Start Your Own Clothing Line
Manufacturing
Finally, we have arrived at the part of the fashion industry that makes the entire operation run. Of course, I am referring to manufacturing. Somebody has got to do all of the cutting, sewing, and embellishing that make the final product. However, those are just a few of the jobs that you will find in manufacturing. There are also buyers, who have the responsibility of purchasing the correct amounts and the right types of material to make the garments that will be sold in stores across the globe. Some coordinators take care of the logistics of shipping.
It sure sounds like there is plenty to do during the manufacturing process, doesn’t it? While there is plenty to do in manufacturing garments, this is one area of the fashion industry in that you don’t have to have a fashion degree to have a good career. However, having a degree in fashion from a good design school certainly wouldn’t hurt. The typical salary in clothing manufacturing ranges between $31,000 per year and $56,000 per year. However, depending on your education, position, and experience, you can potentially earn up to $72,500 annually in the United States.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many examples of careers you can have in the fashion industry. Whatever path you choose, make sure that you are willing to put in the hard work necessary for you to be a success. Some of these jobs do not require you to have a degree from a prestigious fashion school, but it would not hurt your case if you did for many of these. Remember that when you go to work in the fashion industry, you will more than likely have to start from the bottom wherever you choose to work.
Not many people are going to immediately start you at the top of your field. Remember, some of the top fashion designers in the game started as interns. However, if you are willing to dedicate yourself to your craft, you should find yourself rising the ladder at whatever job you choose before too long. Remember, it takes all types of people to work in the fashion industry because there are all types of jobs available. From manufacturing to sales, I do not doubt that most of you will have no problems finding a career in the fashion industry that fits you perfectly.
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Related Questions
What is the highest paying job in the fashion industry in the United States?
There are several good careers in the fashion industry that can help you to earn a decent living wage. However, the highest annual salary in the fashion industry belongs to product managers. The median annual salary of a product manager in the fashion industry is $102,415 per year.
What is the lowest paying job in the fashion industry in the United States?
Unfortunately, this is a category that nobody would like to fall into. However, in the fashion industry, the lowest paying group of employees sadly belongs to sales associates. The lowest paying sales associate job in the fashion industry goes to cashiers at Pacific Sunwear, who make a poultry $7.62 per hour.
To learn more about how to start your own fashion clothing line check out my startup documents here
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Fashion Business Fan.
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a designer or boutique owner at a craft fair, farmers market, retail location or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Fashion Business Boss: I want to help fashion business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.