Career comparison
Apparel Patternmaker vs. Fashion Designer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Fashion designers earn more at the median ($80,960 vs. $62,750), while apparel patternmakers usually get to work faster (Months to years of training of training). Apparel patternmakers turn fashion designs into patterns that factories use to cut clothing. Fashion designers design clothing, shoes and accessories from sketch to store.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Apparel Patternmaker | Fashion Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,750 ($30.17/hr) | $80,960 ($38.92/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,790 – $123,540 | $39,490 – $146,870 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -15.0% (a projected decline) | +0.1% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 200 | 2,500 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Months to years of training | 4 years |
| Key credential | Fashion design degree | Fashion design degree |
| Work setting | Patternmakers work in design studios and factories.. | Designers work in design studios, showrooms and factories, sometimes traveling for fabric shows and production.. |
What each job does
Apparel Patternmaker
- Draft patterns
- Make samples
- Fit garments
- Grade sizes
- Create markers
Fashion Designer
- Research trends and markets
- Sketch designs
- Select fabrics, colors and trims
- Create tech packs
- Work with pattern makers and factories
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work and hands-on work. Both are part of the arts, media & design field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose apparel patternmaker if…
- I love fashion
- I like math and shapes
- I can sew
Choose fashion designer if…
- I love fashion
- I sketch and sew
- I follow trends
Still torn? Take the Apparel Patternmaker fit quiz and the Fashion Designer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, apparel patternmaker or fashion designer?
Fashion Designers earn more at the median: $80,960 versus $62,750 for apparel patternmakers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Apparel Patternmakers typically train faster (Months to years of training) than fashion designers (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects fashion designers to grow +0.1% from 2025–35, compared with -15.0% for apparel patternmakers.