Sample Coordinator Career Profile, Salary & Job Outlook
What does a Sample Coordinator do?
Sample coordinators are responsible for the management of product samples. They organize and maintain sample closets, arrange delivery and shipping of samples, product shoots, editorial shoots, and style outs. When needed, they pull samples for the creative team. Coordinators liaise with merchandising and buying to ensure the accuracy of samples.
How much does this career make?
According to Glassdoor, Sample Coordinators make a national average of $57,358 or $27.58 an hour (as of March 2022). In general, entry-level coordinators make around $36,000 annually, with senior-level coordinators making $94,000 a year. This wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the fashion industry?
Sample coordinators are historians of sorts because they maintain a library of collections and inventory. The knowledge of textiles and sourcing is essential to creating products. Coordinators are the bridge between the creative team, the marketing team, merchandising, and wholesale.
What is the job outlook for this career?
Analysts forecast that global apparel will grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities in fashion (including Sample Coordinators) are expected to remain steady in growth during the 2020-2030 decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Consider a job in a retail position.
- Explore the Parsons School of Design x Teen Vogue Fashion Industry Essentials online course.
- Download Yellowbrick’s Ultimate Fashion Career Guide.
Learn from:
Phillip Pacardi, Journalist and Editor,
Fashion Industry Essentials contributor
Related Careers:
Product Manager | Inventory Planner | Product Line Manager | Sustainability Officer | Technical Designer | Product Developer | Quality Assurance Manager | Production Manager
