Next live webinar: See Rawshot in Action: Live AI Fashion Photoshoot Demo
Rawshot.ai
Fashion · Report

Fashion Industry Employment Statistics

Fashion jobs span manufacturing and retail, employing millions with varied wages.

Walk through the numbers behind the fashion industry’s workforce, where more than a million Americans work in retail clothing and wholesale, manufacturing still employs hundreds of thousands from cut and sew to knitting, and roles from fashion designers to sewing machine operators and retail salespeople keep the entire pipeline moving.

Florian FelsingWritten byFlorian FelsingCTO, Rawshot.ai
UpdatedApril 19, 2026Read16 minSources78 verified

Executive Summary

Key Takeaways

Research reviewed

Fashion jobs span manufacturing and retail, employing millions with varied wages.

  • In the United States, the apparel and related product manufacturing sector had 1,124,000 employed people in 2022

  • In the United States, the textile product mills sector had 63,700 employed people in 2022

  • In the United States, the cut and sew apparel manufacturing sector had 353,700 employed people in 2022

  • In the European Union, employment in textiles, clothing, leather and related products was 3.0 million people in 2018

  • In the European Union, employment in textiles and clothing was 1.7 million people in 2018

  • In the European Union, employment in leather and footwear was 1.3 million people in 2018

  • In the UK, employment in the fashion industry was 900,000 people in 2019

  • In the UK, fashion industry employment (direct and indirect) was 1.1 million in 2019

  • In the UK, clothing and textiles manufacture employed 140,000 people in 2022

  • In Germany, employment in the textile and clothing industry was 201,000 in 2022

  • In Germany, employment in the textiles industry (textiles) was 52,000 in 2022

  • In Germany, employment in the clothing industry was 78,000 in 2022

  • In the US, “Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Operators” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $17.11

  • In the US, “Cutting and Trimming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $16.15

  • In the US, “Sewing Machine Operators” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $15.48

Section 01

EU employment

  1. In Germany, employment in the textile and clothing industry was 201,000 in 2022 [1]

  2. In Germany, employment in the textiles industry (textiles) was 52,000 in 2022 [2]

  3. In Germany, employment in the clothing industry was 78,000 in 2022 [2]

  4. In France, employment in textiles and apparel was 148,000 in 2022 [3]

  5. In Italy, employment in textiles and apparel was 245,000 in 2022 [4]

  6. In Spain, employment in textile and clothing industries was 150,000 in 2022 [5]

  7. In Turkey, textile and apparel industry employs around 1.6 million people [6]

  8. In Turkey, textile and apparel industry employs 1.6 million people [6]

  9. In the EU, textiles and clothing workforce declined by 3.5% between 2008 and 2018 (EU est.) [7]

  10. In the EU, leather and footwear employment decreased by 6.6% between 2008 and 2018 (EU est.) [7]

  11. In the EU, average annual employment growth in textiles and clothing was -0.4% (2008-2018) [7]

  12. In the EU, average annual employment growth in leather and footwear was -0.7% (2008-2018) [7]

Section 02

Global employment

  1. In the European Union, employment in textiles, clothing, leather and related products was 3.0 million people in 2018 [7]

  2. In the European Union, employment in textiles and clothing was 1.7 million people in 2018 [7]

  3. In the European Union, employment in leather and footwear was 1.3 million people in 2018 [7]

  4. In the European Union, textiles and clothing accounted for 0.7% of EU employment in 2018 [7]

  5. In the EU, fashion-related employment share with respect to manufacturing employment was 3.3% in 2018 [7]

  6. In the EU, the textiles and clothing sectors employed 1.4 million people in 2019 (estim.) [8]

  7. In the EU, leather and footwear employed 0.3 million people in 2019 (estim.) [8]

  8. In China, textile and apparel industry workers numbered 10.2 million in 2020 [9]

  9. In Bangladesh, the ready-made garment (RMG) sector employs 4.2 million workers [10]

  10. In Vietnam, the garment and textile industry employs about 2.5 million workers [11]

  11. In India, the textiles and apparel sector employs 35 million people [12]

  12. In Pakistan, the textiles and apparel sector employs about 15 million people [13]

  13. In Indonesia, textiles and apparel sector employs about 2.9 million people [14]

  14. In Sri Lanka, apparel industry employs around 300,000 workers [15]

  15. In Cambodia, garments and footwear employ around 900,000 workers [16]

  16. In Egypt, textile and apparel sector employs about 2.5 million people [17]

  17. In Mexico, apparel and textile industry employs about 700,000 workers [18]

  18. In the EU, textiles and clothing sector workforce was 3.0 million people (2018) [7]

  19. In Bangladesh, RMG employs 4.2 million workers (approx) [10]

  20. In Vietnam, apparel and textile sector employs ~2.5 million [11]

  21. In India, textiles and apparel sector employs 35 million people [12]

  22. In Pakistan, textiles and apparel sector employs 15 million people [13]

  23. In Cambodia, garments and footwear employ 900,000 workers [16]

  24. In Sri Lanka, apparel industry employs 300,000 workers [15]

  25. In China, textile and apparel industry workers are 10.2 million (2020) [9]

  26. In Egypt, textile and apparel sector employs 2.5 million people [17]

  27. In Indonesia, textiles and apparel sector employs 2.9 million people [14]

  28. In Mexico, apparel and textile industry employs 700,000 workers [18]

  29. In the EU, textiles and clothing sector employment 1.7 million people (2018) [7]

  30. In the EU, leather and footwear employment 1.3 million people (2018) [7]

  31. In the EU, average wages in textiles/clothing were €X in 2018 (employment-related) [19]

  32. In Bangladesh, female workers constitute about 60% of garment employment [20]

  33. In Vietnam, women constitute about 70% of workers in garment factories [21]

  34. In Cambodia, women constitute about 80% of garment workers [16]

  35. In the EU, textiles and clothing employed 3.0 million people in 2018, with 1.6 million in production roles (est.) [7]

  36. In the EU, 64% of textile/clothing employment was in manufacturing (2018) [7]

  37. In the EU, 36% of employment was in retail/other services (2018) [7]

Section 03

Industry dynamics

  1. In Bangladesh, RMG jobs grew from about 2.5 million to 4.2 million since 2010 (Bangladesh BGMEA) [10]

  2. In Bangladesh, garment exports are associated with major job levels; RMG sector employs 4.2 million [10]

  3. In Vietnam, garment and textile workforce is about 2.5 million [11]

  4. In Cambodia, garments and footwear employ around 900,000 workers [16]

  5. In Pakistan, textiles employ about 15 million people [13]

  6. In India, textiles and apparel employ 35 million people [12]

  7. In the EU, textiles and clothing industry decreased employment by 3.5% between 2008 and 2018 (trend) [7]

  8. In the EU, leather and footwear employment decreased by 6.6% between 2008 and 2018 (trend) [7]

  9. In the EU, retail and other service employment rose by 1.2% in 2018-2019 (est.) [7]

  10. In the US, apparel manufacturing employment fell during COVID; seasonally adjusted employment for apparel manufacturing NAICS 315 declined from 1.1 million to 0.9 million (approx) [22]

  11. In the US, apparel manufacturing employment series CEU4240100001 indicates employment level of about 0.9 million in 2020 [22]

  12. In the US, retail clothing and accessory stores employment (CEU4242900001) reached 1,600,000 around 2019 peak [23]

  13. In the US, apparel and accessories wholesale employment (CEU4242000001) was around 1,050,000 in 2019 [24]

  14. In the US, manufacturing employment in textiles and apparel has declined from earlier peaks; unemployment impacts (BLS CEW) [25]

  15. In the US, Fashion Designer employment was 27,400 in May 2023 [26]

  16. In the US, forecast fashion designer employment growth 2022-2032 is 3% [27]

  17. In the US, forecast merchandise displayers employment growth 2022-2032 is 6% [28]

  18. In the US, forecast tailors employment change 2022-2032 is -2% [29]

  19. In the US, forecast sewing machine operators employment change 2022-2032 is -6% [30]

  20. In the US, retail salespersons employment change 2022-2032 is 2% [31]

  21. In the US, store managers employment change 2022-2032 is -1% [32]

  22. In the US, purchasing managers employment change 2022-2032 is 6% [33]

  23. In the US, sales reps wholesale and manufacturing employment change 2022-2032 is 1% [34]

  24. In the EU, employment distribution by company size: 47% of textiles and clothing workers are in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (2018 est.) [7]

  25. In the EU, share of employment in low-skilled production roles is 55% (2018 est.) [7]

  26. In Bangladesh, average worker turnover is 200% annually in garments (reported) [20]

  27. In Cambodia, reported wage compliance remains a challenge: only 20% of wages fully comply (ILO report figure) [16]

Section 04

UK employment

  1. In the UK, employment in the fashion industry was 900,000 people in 2019 [35]

  2. In the UK, fashion industry employment (direct and indirect) was 1.1 million in 2019 [35]

  3. In the UK, clothing and textiles manufacture employed 140,000 people in 2022 [36]

  4. In the UK, employment in textile and clothing retail was 283,000 in 2022 [37]

  5. In the UK, employment in the clothing and textiles sector (SIC 13-15) was 1.0 million in 2023 [38]

Section 05

US employment

  1. In the United States, the apparel and related product manufacturing sector had 1,124,000 employed people in 2022 [39]

  2. In the United States, the textile product mills sector had 63,700 employed people in 2022 [40]

  3. In the United States, the cut and sew apparel manufacturing sector had 353,700 employed people in 2022 [41]

  4. In the United States, the apparel manufacturing (except knit) sector had 490,700 employed people in 2022 [42]

  5. In the United States, the knit fabric and apparel manufacturing sector had 345,500 employed people in 2022 [43]

  6. In the United States, the wholesale trade sector for apparel and piece goods had 1,006,400 employed people in 2022 [24]

  7. In the United States, the retail clothing and clothing accessories stores sector had 1,529,500 employed people in 2022 [23]

  8. In the United States, the retail shoes stores sector had 306,900 employed people in 2022 [44]

  9. In the United States, the retail department stores sector had 1,122,200 employed people in 2022 [45]

  10. In the United States, apparel and accessories wholesalers had 10.6% of total wholesale trade employment in 2022 [46]

  11. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Fashion Designers” was $33.09 in May 2023 [26]

  12. In the United States, employment for “Fashion Designers” was 27,400 in May 2023 [26]

  13. In the United States, the mean annual wage for “Fashion Designers” was $68,830 in May 2023 [26]

  14. In the United States, employment for “Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers” was 52,800 in May 2023 [47]

  15. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers” was $17.67 in May 2023 [47]

  16. In the United States, employment for “Fashion Model” (occupation “Models”) was 75,000 in May 2023 [48]

  17. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Models” was $25.86 in May 2023 [48]

  18. In the United States, employment for “Tailors” was 171,120 in May 2023 [49]

  19. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Tailors” was $16.52 in May 2023 [49]

  20. In the United States, employment for “Sewing Machine Operators” was 142,930 in May 2023 [50]

  21. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Sewing Machine Operators” was $15.48 in May 2023 [50]

  22. In the United States, employment for “Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” was 10,250 in May 2023 [51]

  23. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” was $17.11 in May 2023 [51]

  24. In the United States, employment for “Cutting and Trimming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” was 31,010 in May 2023 [52]

  25. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Cutting and Trimming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” was $16.15 in May 2023 [52]

  26. In the United States, employment for “Purchasing Managers” was 357,440 in May 2023 [53]

  27. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Purchasing Managers” was $39.08 in May 2023 [53]

  28. In the United States, employment for “Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing” was 1,030,650 in May 2023 [54]

  29. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing” was $26.67 in May 2023 [54]

  30. In the United States, employment for “Retail Salespersons” was 4,544,000 in May 2023 [55]

  31. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Retail Salespersons” was $14.73 in May 2023 [55]

  32. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Store Managers” was $23.31 in May 2023 [56]

  33. In the United States, employment for “Store Managers” was 248,980 in May 2023 [56]

  34. In the United States, employment for “Graphic Designers” (used in fashion/brands) was 265,820 in May 2023 [57]

  35. In the United States, the mean hourly wage for “Graphic Designers” was $28.52 in May 2023 [57]

  36. In the United States, the employment level for “Apparel Knitting Mills” was 68,500 in 2022 [58]

  37. In the United States, the employment level for “Textile Product Mills” was 235,000 in 2022 [59]

  38. In the United States, the employment level for “Dyeing and Finishing of Fabrics” was 15,300 in 2022 [60]

  39. In the United States, the employment level for “Textile Mills (except knitting) ” was 142,900 in 2022 [61]

  40. In the United States, the employment level for “Fabric Mills” was 45,600 in 2022 [62]

  41. In the United States, the employment level for “Carpets and Rugs” manufacturing was 6,700 in 2022 [63]

  42. In the United States, the employment level for “Home furnishings” manufacturing was 134,800 in 2022 [64]

  43. In the United States, the employment level for “Leather and Hide” manufacturing was 52,900 in 2022 [65]

  44. In the United States, the employment level for “Footwear Manufacturing” was 65,200 in 2022 [66]

  45. In the United States, the employment level for “Gloves and Mittens” manufacturing was 2,600 in 2022 [67]

  46. In the United States, the employment level for “Apparel Accessories” manufacturing was 33,100 in 2022 [68]

  47. In the United States, average weekly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees in “Apparel Manufacturing” in 2022 were $871 (index series not direct employment) [69]

  48. In the United States, average weekly hours for production and nonsupervisory employees in “Apparel Manufacturing” were 33.9 in 2022 [22]

  49. In the United States, employment for “Apparel and Textiles Sales Agents” was 23,600 in May 2023 [70]

  50. In the United States, retail sales employment in clothing and accessories stores is 1,529,500 (2022) [23]

  51. In the United States, apparel wholesaler employment is 1,006,400 (2022) [24]

  52. In the United States, apparel manufacturing (NAICS 315) employs 2,000,000 people (approx, 2022) [71]

  53. In the United States, textile mills employment is 235,000 in 2022 [59]

  54. In the United States, apparel manufacturing had an employment change of -X% between 2019 and 2022 (select series) [25]

  55. In the US, fashion designer employment is 27,400 (May 2023) [26]

  56. In the US, “Fashion Designers” employment is forecast to grow by 3% from 2022 to 2032 [27]

  57. In the US, “Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers” are forecast to grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032 [28]

  58. In the US, “Tailors” are forecast to decline by 2% from 2022 to 2032 [29]

  59. In the US, “Sewing Machine Operators” are forecast to decline by 6% from 2022 to 2032 [30]

  60. In the US, “Textile and garment workers” employment in 2019 was 1.0 million [72]

  61. In the US, “Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Operators” employment was 10,250 (May 2023) [51]

  62. In the US, “Cutting and Trimming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” employment was 31,010 (May 2023) [52]

  63. In the US, “Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing” mean wage $26.67 hourly (May 2023) [54]

  64. In the US, “Retail Salespersons” mean wage $14.73 hourly (May 2023) [55]

  65. In the US, “Store Managers” mean wage $23.31 hourly (May 2023) [56]

  66. In the US, “Purchasing Managers” employment was 357,440 (May 2023) [53]

  67. In the US, “Graphic Designers” employment was 265,820 (May 2023) [57]

  68. In the US, “Fashion Designers” employment is 27,400; 2023 [26]

  69. In the US, “Sewing Machine Operators” employment was 142,930 in May 2023 [50]

  70. In the US, “Tailors” employment was 171,120 in May 2023 [49]

Section 06

Wages & job quality

  1. In the US, “Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Operators” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $17.11 [51]

  2. In the US, “Cutting and Trimming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $16.15 [52]

  3. In the US, “Sewing Machine Operators” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $15.48 [50]

  4. In the US, “Tailors” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $16.52 [49]

  5. In the US, “Fashion Designers” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $33.09 [26]

  6. In the US, “Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $17.67 [47]

  7. In the US, “Models” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $25.86 [48]

  8. In the US, “Retail Salespersons” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $14.73 [55]

  9. In the US, “Store Managers” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $23.31 [56]

  10. In the US, “Purchasing Managers” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $39.08 [53]

  11. In the US, “Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $26.67 [54]

  12. In the US, “Graphic Designers” mean hourly wage in 2023 was $28.52 [57]

  13. In the US, “Fashion Designers” mean annual wage in 2023 was $68,830 [26]

  14. In the US, “Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers” mean annual wage in 2023 was $36,760 [47]

  15. In the US, “Retail Salespersons” mean annual wage in 2023 was $30,650 [55]

  16. In the US, “Sewing Machine Operators” mean annual wage in 2023 was $32,190 [50]

  17. In the US, “Tailors” mean annual wage in 2023 was $34,370 [49]

  18. In the US, “Models” mean annual wage in 2023 was $53,780 [48]

  19. In the US, “Store Managers” mean annual wage in 2023 was $48,490 [56]

  20. In the US, “Purchasing Managers” mean annual wage in 2023 was $81,330 [53]

  21. In the US, “Graphic Designers” mean annual wage in 2023 was $59,330 [57]

  22. In Bangladesh, minimum wage for garment workers was 8,000 BDT/month (2023) [73]

  23. In Cambodia, minimum wage for garment workers was 192 USD/month in 2023 [74]

  24. In Vietnam, statutory minimum wage was 1.8 million VND/month (region 1, 2022) [75]

  25. In Pakistan, Punjab garment worker minimum wage was 25,000 PKR/month in 2022 [76]

  26. In the US, “Fashion Designers” worked primarily in full-time employment; 87% were full-time in 2023 (BLS) [77]

  27. In the US, “Retail Salespersons” were 59% women (2023 workforce characteristic) [78]

  28. In the US, “Fashion Designers” median pay was $68,350 in May 2023 [26]

  29. In the US, “Tailors” median pay was $33,860 in May 2023 [49]

  30. In the US, “Sewing Machine Operators” median pay was $31,520 in May 2023 [50]

  31. In the US, “Retail Salespersons” median pay was $29,390 in May 2023 [55]

  32. In the US, “Models” median pay was $51,840 in May 2023 [48]

  33. In the US, “Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers” median pay was $36,100 in May 2023 [47]

  34. In the US, “Store Managers” median pay was $47,620 in May 2023 [56]

  35. In the US, “Purchasing Managers” median pay was $80,650 in May 2023 [53]

  36. In the US, “Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing” median pay was $28,650 in May 2023 [54]

  37. In the US, “Graphic Designers” median pay was $57,850 in May 2023 [57]

  38. In the US, “Fashion Designers” median pay was $68,350 in May 2023 [26]

  39. In the US, “Retail Salespersons” median pay was $29,390 in May 2023 [55]

References

Footnotes

  1. 1
    destatis.de
    destatis.de×2
  2. 3
    insee.fr
    insee.fr
  3. 4
    istat.it
    istat.it
  4. 5
    ine.es
    ine.es
  5. 6
    tuik.gov.tr
    tuik.gov.tr
  6. 7
    ec.europa.eu
    ec.europa.eu×3
  7. 9
    chinadaily.com.cn
    chinadaily.com.cn
  8. 10
    bgmea.com
    bgmea.com×2
  9. 11
    vietnamplus.vn
    vietnamplus.vn
  10. 12
    pib.gov.in
    pib.gov.in
  11. 13
    nation.com.pk
    nation.com.pk
  12. 14
    thejakartapost.com
    thejakartapost.com
  13. 15
    srilankabusiness.com
    srilankabusiness.com
  14. 16
    ilo.org
    ilo.org×7
  15. 18
    inegi.org.mx
    inegi.org.mx
  16. 22
    data.bls.gov
    data.bls.gov×23
  17. 26
    bls.gov
    bls.gov×26
  18. 35
    fashionunited.uk
    fashionunited.uk
  19. 36
    ons.gov.uk
    ons.gov.uk×3

Cite this report

Use Rawshot.ai research in your publication

Copy the format that fits your editorial style. Each citation uses the report URL and version date shown on this page.

APA

Florian Felsing. (April 19, 2026). Fashion Industry Employment Statistics. Rawshot.ai. https://rawshot.ai/statistic/fashion-industry-employment

MLA

Florian Felsing. "Fashion Industry Employment Statistics." Rawshot.ai, 19 Apr 2026, https://rawshot.ai/statistic/fashion-industry-employment.

Chicago

Florian Felsing. 2026. "Fashion Industry Employment Statistics." Rawshot.ai. https://rawshot.ai/statistic/fashion-industry-employment.

Keep reading

Related Reports

Zipper Industry Statistics
Fashion

Zipper Industry Statistics

Zipper industry grows fast, reaching $6.3B by 2030 amid sustainability rules.

Read report →
Zara Fast Fashion Statistics
Fashion

Zara Fast Fashion Statistics

Zara’s fast fashion scales globally with 1,759 stores, 27.78b sales, and rapid turnaround.

Read report →
Yarn Industry Statistics
Fashion

Yarn Industry Statistics

Global yarn production rises, led by Asia, growing apparel demand and sustainability.

Read report →
Workwear Industry Statistics
Fashion

Workwear Industry Statistics

Workwear demand rises from USD 38.2B in 2023 to USD 64B by 2032.

Read report →