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Learn what to expect from careers in thefashion merchandising industry.
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Fashion merchandising careers, like otherfashion careers, traditionally attract a large number of people—so there are often more applicants than jobs.
However, if you're serious about fashion merchandising careers, don't let that discourage you.
Do everything you can to move your résumé to the top of the pile. Be willing to take an internship or entry level position. Since people tend to covet these careers and the job growth statistics are below average due to the limited number of positions, just getting your foot in the door may prove to be fortuitous.
Besides your ambition and drive, getting an education and basic work experience may also make you a more appealing job candidate.
Preparation for Careers in Fashion Merchandising
Many schools offer diplomas or degrees in fashion merchandising. Your choice of a diploma program or an associate's or bachelor's degree may depend on how quickly you want to enter the workforce. While diplomas and associate's programs have the advantage of being shorter, a bachelor's degree is a great asset whether you're starting a career in fashion merchandising or any other field. Here are some of the things you can do with each:
- Diploma:A diploma in fashion merchandising is a program that will give you the skills to set up fashion displays, assist merchandisers and buyers, and perform basic marketing tasks as they relate to fashion.
- Associate's:You'll be prepared for an entry-level role in acquisition, fashion buying or merchandising with a one- to-two year associate's degree.
- Bachelor's:The four-year bachelor's is a versatile degree that can prepare you for a career in fashion marketing, personnel management, retail advertising or management, product buying and visual merchandising. If you plan on entering an executive program later in your career, you'll need to have earned your bachelor's to do so.
Getting work experience can also boost your chances of landing the job you want. Many companies prefer to promote from within before hiring someone from the outside. If you are willing to start at the bottom, you are more likely to get the fashion merchandising job you really want in the future. Take related jobs, and leverage your industry experience toward a fashion merchandising career.
Job Growth and Outlook
Jobs within the fashion industry are limited but varied, so here are different job growth predictions from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) current Occupational Outlook Handbook for different fashion merchandising careers. As a point of reference, the job growth rate for all occupations combined is 5% through 2031.
| Fashion Merchandising Careers | Job Growth Through 2031 |
|---|---|
| Purchasing managers | 3.8%, as fast as average |
| Buyers and purchasing agents | -7%, lower than average |
| Advertising, promotions and marketing managers | 7.1%, faster than average |
Fashion Merchandising Career Salaries
Fashion merchandisersare part of the larger field of buyers and purchasing agents, and here's a look at their median annual salaries nationally and by state. Actual salaries may vary greatly based on specialization within the field, location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
National data
Median Salary: $63,470
Projected job growth: -7%
10th Percentile: $38,430
25th Percentile: $49,150
75th Percentile: $87,820
90th Percentile: $111,200
Projected job growth: -7%
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,570 | $37,190 | $111,110 |
| Alaska | $70,350 | $46,450 | $120,200 |
| Arizona | $63,090 | $39,160 | $104,500 |
| Arkansas | $74,480 | $37,830 | $154,210 |
| California | $72,340 | $40,730 | $119,360 |
| Colorado | $71,950 | $44,940 | $116,370 |
| Connecticut | $73,590 | $38,130 | $109,130 |
| Delaware | $76,440 | $47,310 | $130,120 |
| District of Columbia | $104,620 | $60,110 | $148,260 |
| Florida | $60,680 | $34,460 | $100,720 |
| Georgia | $62,320 | $38,120 | $109,900 |
| Hawaii | $63,460 | $45,030 | $103,850 |
| Idaho | $59,970 | $34,860 | $91,920 |
| Illinois | $71,160 | $44,080 | $115,840 |
| Indiana | $60,110 | $37,570 | $96,680 |
| Iowa | $60,350 | $36,240 | $96,550 |
| Kansas | $60,470 | $37,760 | $98,790 |
| Kentucky | $60,110 | $36,900 | $97,630 |
| Louisiana | $50,610 | $29,010 | $97,750 |
| Maine | $63,850 | $47,400 | $96,610 |
| Maryland | $77,580 | $48,290 | $124,430 |
| Massachusetts | $79,030 | $48,740 | $126,670 |
| Michigan | $62,560 | $39,490 | $102,170 |
| Minnesota | $64,270 | $46,150 | $121,510 |
| Mississippi | $57,080 | $30,360 | $98,630 |
| Missouri | $61,330 | $36,920 | $101,750 |
| Montana | $48,940 | $29,890 | $82,640 |
| Nebraska | $61,480 | $38,870 | $100,480 |
| Nevada | $60,130 | $30,490 | $100,060 |
| New Hampshire | $63,460 | $47,230 | $101,320 |
| New Jersey | $80,920 | $55,310 | $131,920 |
| New Mexico | $59,930 | $37,130 | $107,470 |
| New York | $76,190 | $47,230 | $122,620 |
| North Carolina | $61,390 | $36,940 | $101,830 |
| North Dakota | $63,400 | $38,780 | $97,150 |
| Ohio | $63,170 | $39,560 | $103,230 |
| Oklahoma | $60,210 | $31,980 | $100,060 |
| Oregon | $60,740 | $38,360 | $99,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,460 | $40,690 | $105,290 |
| Rhode Island | $76,800 | $43,310 | $122,620 |
| South Carolina | $63,450 | $41,910 | $101,800 |
| South Dakota | $62,320 | $47,310 | $95,750 |
| Tennessee | $57,040 | $31,860 | $96,680 |
| Texas | $63,460 | $38,870 | $118,820 |
| Utah | $61,570 | $37,000 | $101,640 |
| Vermont | $61,260 | $37,890 | $88,520 |
| Virginia | $76,430 | $30,400 | $128,590 |
| Washington | $75,700 | $48,340 | $116,100 |
| West Virginia | $66,790 | $37,900 | $96,450 |
| Wisconsin | $60,790 | $38,210 | $92,150 |
| Wyoming | $62,320 | $46,220 | $97,620 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
