Apparel Design and Product Development professionals design sportswear, suits, dresses, coats, accessories, and just about everything else that people wear. Designers research color and style trends to create concepts and sketches for fashions one to two years in advance of the market. Some create new garment styles while others adapt styles from a previous season.
Position Title | Projected Growth (2014-2024) | Preparation Required | 2015 Median Wage |
---|---|---|---|
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
Position Description:Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$49,040 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 3 | $49,040 per year |
Public Relations Specialists
Position Description:Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$65,830 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 4 | $65,830 per year |
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers
Position Description:Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$28,630 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:N/A |
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 3 | $28,630 per year |
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers
Position Description:Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$25,570 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 2
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 2 | $25,570 per year |
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
Position Description:Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Projected Growth:
Decline (-2% or lower)
Median Pay:
$21,640 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 1
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Decline (-2% or lower) | Job Zone 1 | $21,640 per year |
Graphic Designers
Position Description:Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Projected Growth:
Little or no change (-1% to 1%)
Median Pay:
$51,640 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Little or no change (-1% to 1%) | Job Zone 4 | $51,640 per year |
Fashion Designers
Position Description:Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$73,180 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 3 | $73,180 per year |
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Position Description:Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$54,170 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 3 | $54,170 per year |
Photographers
Position Description:Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$40,280 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 3 | $40,280 per year |
Commercial and Industrial Designers
Position Description:Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Projected Growth:
Slower than average (2% to 4%)
Median Pay:
$69,820 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Slower than average (2% to 4%) | Job Zone 4 | $69,820 per year |
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Position Description:Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$59,270 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 3 | $59,270 per year |
Models
Position Description:Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$37,240 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 1
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 1 | $37,240 per year |
Editors
Position Description:Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.
Projected Growth:
Average (5% to 8%)
Median Pay:
$64,910 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Average (5% to 8%) | Job Zone 4 | $64,910 per year |
Costume Attendants
Position Description:Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$52,870 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 2
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 2 | $52,870 per year |
Cost Estimators
Position Description:Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$64,810 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | Job Zone 4 | $64,810 per year |
Writers and Authors
Position Description:Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Projected Growth:
Faster than average (9% to 13%)
Median Pay:
$69,130 per year
Preparation:
Position Duties:N/A Skills:N/A |
Faster than average (9% to 13%) | $69,130 per year | |
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Position Description:Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$66,560 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 3
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 3 | $66,560 per year |
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Position Description:Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.
Projected Growth:
Much faster than average (14% or higher)
Median Pay:
$70,030 per year
Preparation:
Job Zone 4
Position Duties:
Skills:
|
Much faster than average (14% or higher) | Job Zone 4 | $70,030 per year |
Draw and construct sets of precision master fabric patterns or layouts. May also mark and cut fabrics and apparel.
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Apply makeup to performers to reflect period, setting, and situation of their role.
Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Select, fit, and take care of costumes for cast members, and aid entertainers. May assist with multiple costume changes during performances.
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
N/A
Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments. May pose for photos to be used in magazines or advertisements. May pose as subject for paintings, sculptures, and other types of artistic expression.
Plan, coordinate, or edit content of material for publication. May review proposals and drafts for possible publication. Includes technical editors.
Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.
Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects, using digital or film cameras and equipment. May develop negatives or use computer software to produce finished images and prints. Includes scientific photographers, aerial photographers, and photojournalists.
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Develop and design manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.
Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.
Engage in promoting or creating an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media.
Design, make, alter, repair, or fit garments.
N/A
Construct, decorate, or repair leather and leather-like products, such as luggage, shoes, and saddles.
Press or shape articles by hand or machine.
Explore career information and other resources specifically tailored to Apparel Design majors.
Career Development Center
A110 Kerr Admin Building, Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-4085 • Contact Us
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.