Knitwear Designer Career Profile & Salary & Job Outlook
What does a Knitwear Designer do?
Knitwear designers create and produce clothing, accessories, and upholstery primarily made of yarn and wool. They manage all design aspects, including material direction, sketching, color palette, tech packs, and prints. Designers also research seasonal yarns and work with knitwear vendors on all fabric development.
How much does a Knitwear Designer make?
According to Glassdoor, Knitwear Designers make a national average of $113,829 or $54.73 an hour (as of March 2022). In general, entry-level knitwear designers make around $72,000 annually, with senior-level knitwear designers making $183,000 a year. But, of course, this wide range also depends on skill, seniority, company, and location.
What impact does this career have towards the fashion industry?
The fashion industry is drawing up plans to reduce its environmental footprint and turning to eco-friendly materials. As a result, knitwear designers are helping the fashion industry move towards sustainability. Some designers knit the fabric into the exact shape they need instead of cutting it, allowing for a large reduction in waste.
What is the job outlook for a Knitwear Designer?
Forecasters predict that global apparel revenue will grow to $2.25 trillion by 2025. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for fashion designers (including Knitwear Designers) are expected to maintain steady growth during the 2020-2030 decade.
How to kick-off your career:
- Study tech packs.
- Refine your knitting and weaving techniques.
- Download The Ultimate Fashion Career Guide to learn more about career paths.
- Explore the Parsons x WWD Fashion Business Essentials online course.
Learn from:
Jeff Carvalho, Fashion Business Essentials contributor, Founder, Highsnobiety
Related Careers:
Creative Director | Fashion Illustrator | Apparel Designer | Fabric Researcher | Accessories Designer | Garment Technologist | Footwear Designer | Pattern Cutter/Grader | Director of Merchandising & Design | Trend Forecaster | Graphic Designer | Textile Designer | Textile Colorist | Fashion Designer | Data Analyst
