ANSWER. A designer’s earnings are typically based on the number of years in the business, experience, expertise, region or location, size of the company, and job description. Because each person’s background and objectives are unique to them, we suggest to do your own research and due diligence. For example, compare salaries of local similar job descriptions and talk to those in the industry. Not all pay is equal and women, unfortunately, are paid less than their male counterpart.

The following are only averages within a range of salaries based on these sources.  There are other sources of which data could be different.

According to the Economic Research Institute, the average annual pay for a fashion designer:

• London, £61,145 
• France, €57,920 
• Luxembourg, €78,867
• Italy,  €52,985
• Germany, €66,716
• Hong Kong, HKD 446,494
• Shanghai, CNY 206,230
• Tokyo, JPY 9,732,525

According to PayScale, the average yearly salary for a fashion designer:

• South Africa, R168,519
• Spain, €33,424
• Vancouver, BC, Canada C$61,169
• Toronto, Ontario, Canada C$51,175

Sheila-Madge Bakker, designer | Courtesy of Sheila-Madge Bakker

Images: Pretoria, South Africa-based designer Sheila Madge Bakker, integrates her South African roots and culture with a dynamic execution of design with purpose, skill, environmental sensitivity, collaboration, and most importantly a cultural significance. Read her timeless story: The Tomorrow People, African Fashion Designers.

Source: Fashion Intelligence