Fashion Designer Salary in India 2026: Pay Scale, Growth & Trends

Understanding Fashion Designer Salaries in India

The Indian fashion industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar sector fueled by e-commerce, luxury retail, celebrity culture, and the rise of homegrown designer brands. With this expansion, fashion design has emerged as one of the most dynamic and creative career choices for young aspirants.

But one of the most common questions students ask is: What is the salary of a fashion designer in India?

The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The fashion designer salary in India varies significantly based on:

• Experience and portfolio
• Job role and specialization
• Brand or company
• City and industry segment
• Type of fashion design course completed

On average, the fashion designer average salary in India ranges from moderate to highly lucrative, especially as designers gain experience and enter premium or celebrity-driven segments.

Fashion Designer Salary in India: Average Pay Scale

National Average Monthly Salary

The typical fashion designer salary per month in India ranges between
₹25,000 to ₹60,000, depending on skill and job role.

Average Annual Compensation

The average salary of fashion designer in India stands around:
₹3.5 Lakh to ₹7 Lakh per year for mid-level roles.

Fresher vs Experienced Designers

(Source: Naukri.com)

Experienced designers command significantly higher salaries because of their creative expertise, brand recognition, and stronger portfolios.

Starting Salary of a Fashion Designer in India

Fresher Salary Breakdown

The starting salary of a fashion designer in India generally falls between:
₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month (depending on the brand or company).

Junior Fashion Designer Salary in India per Month

Junior designers earn slightly more than freshers:
₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per month.

Training & Internship Salaries

Students undergoing internships typically earn:
₹5,000 to ₹10,000 per month.

Entry-Level Expectations

At this stage, designers typically work on:

• Assisting senior designers
• Pattern-making
• Garment construction
• Basic illustrations
• Fabric selection

With 1- 2 years of experience, salaries increase rapidly as designers gain hands-on exposure.

Salary Based on Education & Qualifications

Your qualifications directly influence your salary package.

Salary After Diploma in Fashion Designing

Diploma in fashion designing salary:
₹10,000 - ₹20,000 per month initially
Ideal for students seeking early entry into jobs.

BSc Fashion Designing Salary

A degree brings better opportunities.
BSc fashion designing salary:
₹20,000 - ₹35,000 per month

B.Des Fashion Design Salary

B.Des (Bachelor of Design) holders often receive the highest starting packages due to superior training.
B Des fashion design salary:
₹25,000 - ₹45,000 per month

(Data as per LinkedIn Salary Insights)

Impact of Advanced Courses

Courses such as M.Des, PG Diploma in Fashion Management, and Fashion Styling Certifications can significantly increase starting salaries and open doors to premium jobs.

Salary Based on Job Roles in Fashion Designing

Fashion design offers diverse job profiles. Here’s a salary breakdown:

(Source: Naukri.com)

Specialized roles like costume designer and merchandiser often pay higher due to their niche expertise.

Salary Based on Industry & Work Environment

Fashion designers work across various industries, each offering different pay scales:

1. Retail Brands

(Examples: Zara, H&M, Lifestyle)
₹25,000 - ₹70,000 per month

2. Apparel Manufacturers

₹18,000 - ₹50,000 per month

3. Luxury Fashion Houses

(Examples: Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Falguni Shane Peacock)
₹50,000 - ₹1,50,000+ per month

4. Film & TV Industry

Costume designers earn some of the highest salaries:
₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000+ per month (project-based)

5. Freelancing

Freelancers charge per garment or project.
Earnings can range from:
₹30,000 - ₹2,00,000+ per month, depending on clients.

(Data as per Glassdoor India website)

Fashion Designer Salary by Location (India’s Top Cities)

Location is a major factor affecting salary.

(Source: Glassdoor India)

Fashion designer salary in Mumbai is the highest due to the presence of fashion houses, Bollywood, and premium retail brands.

Factors Affecting Fashion Designer Salary in India

Several factors influence a designer’s earning potential:

1. Experience

More years = higher pay.

2. Creativity & Portfolio Quality

A strong portfolio directly boosts salary.

3. Brand Reputation

Working for high-end brands means higher salaries.

4. Academic Background

Students from reputed design institutes typically earn more.

5. Industry Segment

Luxury fashion and entertainment industries pay the highest.

Career Growth & Highest Salary Potential for Fashion Designers

Here is how growth looks in this field:

Senior Designer Salaries

 ₹1 Lakh - ₹3 Lakh per month

Creative Director Roles

 ₹2 Lakh - ₹5 Lakh+ per month

Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Owning a boutique or label can take earnings to: ₹10 Lakh - ₹50 Lakh+ per year

Highest salary of fashion designer in India

Top celebrity designers easily earn ₹1 Crore+ annually

(Data as per Glassdoor India website)

Salary After Fashion Designing Courses (After 10th & 12th)

After 10th

Students who pursue diploma programs initially earn ₹10,000-₹20,000 per month.

After 12th (Degree Courses)

Degree holders start at ₹20,000-₹40,000 per month. (Data as per 

Growth Timeline

• 0- 2 years: Fresher salaries
• 3- 5 years: Team leader roles
• 5- 10 years: Senior designer positions
• 10+ years: Creative head or entrepreneur

(Data as per Glassdoor India website)

Why choose ITM Institute of Design & Media to pursue a career in fashion design?

Fashion design is an excellent career choice for creative individuals who want to work in a fast-growing and expressive industry. The fashion designer salary in India increases rapidly with experience, specialization, and skill development. If you wish to work with luxury brands, design for films, or start your own boutique, the earning potential is immense.

If you're planning to build a successful fashion career, ITM Institute of Design & Media (IDM) offers the perfect platform. Here’s why:

Practical Industry Learning

Students learn through hands-on projects, workshops, internships, and real fashion shows.

Premium Design Labs & Technology

Access to state-of-the-art labs, pattern-making studios, textile labs, and digital design tools.

Strong Placement Support

ITM IDM has partnerships with leading fashion brands, ensuring excellent salary opportunities.

Mumbai Advantage

Located in India’s fashion capital, students gain exposure to top designers, events, and companies.

Successful Alumni Network

Many graduates now work with leading brands or run their own labels.

Overall, fashion design offers creativity, freedom, and high earning potential - and with the right education, your career can reach exceptional heights.

Conclusion: Fashion Designer Salary in India

The fashion industry in India offers a wide spectrum of earning opportunities, making fashion designing a viable and rewarding career for creative professionals. As discussed, the fashion designer salary in India is influenced by multiple factors such as educational background, skill level, work experience, job role, industry segment, and city of employment. While entry-level designers may begin with modest salaries, consistent skill development, a strong portfolio, and industry exposure can lead to substantial income growth over time.

From junior roles in apparel manufacturing units to senior positions in luxury fashion houses, retail brands, film and television, and independent labels, the salary progression in fashion designing is both structured and scalable. Designers who invest in formal education - such as diploma, BSc, or B.Des programs - and gain hands-on experience through internships and live projects tend to secure better starting packages and faster career advancement. Additionally, professionals working in metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Delhi often earn higher salaries due to greater industry concentration and premium brand presence.

In the long term, fashion designing also offers exceptional earning potential through leadership roles, creative director positions, freelancing, and entrepreneurship. With the right combination of creativity, technical expertise, and professional training, designers can move beyond fixed salaries and build sustainable, high-income careers. Overall, for individuals passionate about fashion and innovation, fashion designing in India presents strong financial prospects alongside creative fulfillment.

FAQs - Fashion Designer Salary in India

1. What is the average salary of a fashion designer in India?

The average salary ranges from ₹3.5 Lakh to ₹7 Lakh per year, depending on skill and experience.

2. How much does a fresher fashion designer earn in India?

Freshers earn ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month.

3. Which fashion design course gives the highest salary?

B.Des and M.Des programs usually offer the highest starting packages.

4. Do fashion designers earn more in cities like Mumbai and Delhi?

Yes, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore offer the highest salaries due to better industry exposure.

5. Can fashion designers earn in lakhs?

Absolutely. With experience, specialization, and strong portfolios, designers can earn ₹1 Lakh to ₹5 Lakh per month and more.

6. Does completing a fashion design course improve salary?

Yes. Completing a diploma or degree significantly increases starting salary and job opportunities.