The apparel industry is an industry where they care about your talent and creativity. Unlike other industries, you don’t need to pursue expensive and lengthy education to make a high-paying career out of it. The growth potential of the apparel industry in the US is 1.88% from 2024 to 2027. The fashion and textile industry is already indicating a CAGR of 2% growth. So, in this article, let’s explore ‘How many jobs are available in apparel?’ and whether the $1.70 trillion apparel industry is a good fit for your career or not.
What Is The Apparel Industry?
The apparel industry is one of the most demanding industries in terms of textile, clothing, and accessory design, production, marketing, and distribution. The apparel industry is also known as the fashion industry or the garment/wearable industry.
The apparel industry, or fashion industry, is a combination of a wide range of other sectors. If you are a fashion designer or want to dive into the e-commerce sector, the apparel industry offers you a vast fashion job list.
The apparel industry is also connected with the retail trade sector, so there are lots of opportunities to make a career in this industry. If you want to know how many jobs are available in apparel or fashion industry, read the next section of the top 10 careers in textile clothing and fashion/apparel industry.
Top 10 High-Paid Jobs In Apparel Industry
So, to know the answer to ‘How many jobs are available in apparel industry?’ You need to understand that the industry is a vast field. So, if you are a creative person and design is your niche, then design-related job roles are best for you.
In the same way, there are two other sectors, sales & marketing and production. Have a look at these top 10 jobs in the apparel or fashion industry that offer a good range of salaries.
Sales And Marketing Careers in The Apparel Industry
The most important sector in the fashion or apparel industry is marketing and driving sales. These days, marketing and brand influence draw people’s attention more than quality or ROI. Here are some high-paying marketing and sales jobs in apparel.
1. Sales Associate
(Average Salary:- $38,500 per year)
The role of an apparel sales associate is to provide the best customer service, manage customers, maintain store cleanliness, build relations, and drive sales. If you want to become a sales associate, then you need to complete marketing training or get a certificate from a renamed marketing course provider.
Sales associates should also be able to maintain multiple customers (multitaskers), work flexible shifts, have great conversation skills, have the smartness to handle client inquiries, organize events, and solve customer issues.
2. Public Relation Manager
(Average Salary:- $55,200 per year)
Public relations managers (PR specialists) are crucial to maintaining the brand image in the apparel industry. They create a positive image for brands or individual clients. If you are an MBA graduate, then this career option can provide you with a high source of income.
The primary work of a public relations manager is to plan and deploy PR strategies and marketing, review promotions, create and study market research reports, train or hire company representatives, create and maintain promotional materials, etc.
3. Inventory Planner
(Average Salary:- $57,100 per year)
The inventory planner plays a key role in opening and running a fashion store. Inventory planners plan the inventory and product requirements, manage inventory, analyze sales, and restock.
If you want to become an inventory planner, then you need to work on your communication, organization, and problem-solving skills. You also need to manage inventory, keep an eye on the supply chain, and provide excellent customer service.
4. Account Manager
(Average Salary:- $59,300 per year)
Account managers in the apparel industry are hired by fashion or textile brands or companies. Account managers are responsible for leading sales, creating new opportunities for selling products, managing portfolios, deploying strong relationships, and creating sales or investment reports.
If you want to become an account manager, then you need to improve your leadership skills, problem-solving skills, financial knowledge (degree), communication skills, and data management skills.
Design Careers in The Apparel Industry
Designers are one of two main pillars in the apparel industry. On the internet, almost 90% of search results for ‘How many jobs are available in apparel industry?’ are filled with top designer jobs. To be honest, top-tier designers are indeed one of the best and highest-paid jobs in this fashion and textile sector. Here are some of the best career opportunities in fashion designing.
1. Fashion/Clothing Designer
(Average Salary:- $60,100 per year)
Here, I’m not talking about House of Xandria, Lily Alfonso, or Manish Malhotra, because these are fashion brands. I’m talking about an individual creative mind who works for brands/companies and knows how to create aesthetic fashion that is commercially operable.
The key role of a fashion designer is to research trends, create design concepts, choose materials (fabric, trims, and colors), oversee production, conduct events and fashion shows, and review fashion models.
2. Apparel Graphic Designer
(Average Salary:- $55,900 per year)
Graphic designers in the apparel industry are responsible for creating fashion protocols, advertisements, posts, banners, animation videos for promotion, etc. If you want to become a graphic designer, then you also need to research fashion trends, oversee color combinations, and represent the social image of the brand.
3. Textile Designer
(Average Salary:- $55,900 per year)
The primary duty of a textile designer is to create hands-on illustrations. These days, textile designers use AutoCAD to develop digital designs. Later, those designs are approved by creative directors and printed or woven into fabric.
Textile designers are also responsible for choosing fabric and other materials, analyzing market trends, overseeing production, etc.
Development/Production Careers in The Apparel Industry
The second main pillar of the apparel industry is the production sector, where the final-making process ends. Careers in production/development are the highest-paying job roles in the fashion industry. Have a look at these best jobs in the fashion production and development sector.
1. Product Developer
(Average Salary:- $48,500 per year)
A product developer in the apparel industry is responsible for developing and presenting the product to the targeted market. Product developers are an essential part of this industry’s manufacturing process. They also work closely with the design team.
2. Quality Control Manager
(Average Salary:- $70,100 per year)
The quality control managers are responsible for ensuring the quality of all wearables and accessories. They keep an eye on the quality standards of the final product as well as raw materials, including fabric. If you want to become a QA officer or manager, then you can work under a brand/company or third-party auditor.
3. Production Manager
(Average Salary:- $70,100 per year)
We all know that production managers grab the highest salary package in all sectors. The primary duty of a production manager in apparel is to convey necessary information to all teams, plan production, oversee the quality of the final product, develop coordination, and plan fashion events.
Conclusion: Is Apparel A Good Career Choice For You?
In the end, I hope you have your answer to ‘How many jobs are available in apparel?’ through this article. If you are wondering if the apparel industry is a good fit for your career or not, then let me tell you that this sector not only provides you with a good range of salaries but also an opportunity to work under professional fashion experts and artists. If you want to develop a career in this industry, then you don’t need a very expensive or high level of education. You can make a career in the apparel industry with just your graduation degree. If you have any other questions regarding this topic, feel free to ask me in the comment section. Also, read these articles below to find a career that fits you…
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