• For individuals
  • For companies

Is apparel a good career path? A short guide.

A solid, no bs career guide to career paths. Find job that fits you!
Get matched

Is Apparel a Good Career Path? A Short Guide

If you have a passion for fashion and a keen eye for design, then a career in apparel may be the perfect fit for you. The apparel industry is a dynamic and exciting field that offers a wide range of job opportunities. In this blog post, we will explore the different types of jobs in apparel, how to start a career in this field, the salaries of apparel jobs in the US and UK, the downsides of a career in apparel, and the fastest-growing jobs in the industry.

Types of Jobs in Apparel

The apparel industry is a vast field that encompasses many different job roles. Some of the most common jobs in apparel include fashion designer, textile designer, pattern maker, merchandiser, buyer, and production manager. Fashion designers are responsible for creating new clothing designs, while textile designers create the fabrics used in those designs. Pattern makers create the patterns used to cut the fabric, and merchandisers and buyers work to ensure that the clothing is marketed and sold effectively. Production managers oversee the manufacturing process to ensure that the clothing is produced efficiently and to a high standard.

How Best to Start a Career in Apparel?

Starting a career in apparel requires a combination of education, experience, and networking. Many fashion schools offer degree programs in fashion design, textile design, and other related fields. These programs provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry. Additionally, internships and entry-level jobs can provide valuable experience and help individuals build their professional network. Networking is also essential in the apparel industry, as many jobs are filled through personal connections and referrals.

What Do Jobs in the US and UK Pay in Apparel?

The salaries of apparel jobs in the US and UK vary depending on the job role and level of experience. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a fashion designer in the US is $65,000 per year, while the average salary for a textile designer is $57,000 per year. In the UK, the average salary for a fashion designer is £25,000 to £35,000 per year, while the average salary for a textile designer is £20,000 to £30,000 per year. Salaries for other job roles in the industry, such as production managers and merchandisers, also vary depending on the level of experience and location.

What Are the Downsides of a Career in Apparel?

While a career in apparel can be exciting and rewarding, there are also some downsides to consider. The industry is highly competitive, and it can be challenging to break into. Additionally, many jobs in the industry require long hours and tight deadlines, which can be stressful. The industry is also subject to economic fluctuations, which can impact job security. Finally, the industry has come under scrutiny for its environmental impact, and many companies are working to become more sustainable.

What Are the Fastest Growing Jobs in Apparel?

The apparel industry is constantly evolving, and new job roles are emerging all the time. Some of the fastest-growing jobs in the industry include sustainability managers, data analysts, and e-commerce specialists. Sustainability managers work to ensure that companies are operating in an environmentally responsible way, while data analysts use data to inform business decisions. E-commerce specialists are responsible for managing online sales channels, which have become increasingly important in recent years.

Your Fit for this job

Discover whether you’re a fit for this and other roles by taking our quick career discovery assessments
Find your Fit
salary-data tests

Salary data

A major reason why job markets are dysfunctional and inefficient is because of the lack of salary transparency in job postings. Knowing salary expectations on the candidate side and the salaries behind job postings would significantly cut down labor market and recruitment friction. That’s why we set out to gather - both based on user generated data and external data sources - the largest salary dataset on remote and hybrid jobs.

Check out our remote job board

Get started

Free Personality tests

All of the following assessment tools explore an individual's personality thoroughly, although the Big5 is the gold standard among personality assessments. And what’s key is that are all available for free here: