Number of fashion jobs in California expected to shrink by 2021

California is one of the most attractive states in the US to consider moving to for those looking for a job in the fashion industry, but it may become a little bit less advantageous in the future, according to a report about employment in the creative industries in California by the Otis College of Art and Design and the Los Angeles County Economic Develop Corp. The report has pointed out that the number of fashion jobs has grown slowly in the past five years and is expected to shrink by 2021.

Fashion is currently the third sector offering the most creative jobs in California, with 120,700 positions offered in 2016 alone. However, the number of creative job openings has grown slower in the fashion industry than in other creative industries in California between 2011 and 2016. While all creative industries combined have seen a rise of 38.2 percent in the number of jobs in this period, the Californian fashion industry has only seen a 0.5 percent growth.

The future does not look bright either, as the report expects the number of fashion jobs in California to shrink to 105,600 by 2021, due to manufacturing opportunities continuing to move to countries where labor is cheaper. Most positions offered in California are design or wholesale related, and this trend is likely to intensify in the future.

Los Angeles area offers the most fashion jobs in California

The bulk of jobs for apparel design, manufacturing and wholesaling are concentrated in the Los Angeles area, but Orange County has seen a growth of 8.6 percent in the number of fashion jobs in the past 5 years. Those looking for a job in the fashion industry should also keep an eye on San Francisco, as it is home to leading fashion companies such as Levi Strauss & Co. and Gap Inc.

According to the report, fashion designers in Los Angeles county make an average annual income of 70,000 US dollars, while fabric and apparel patternmakers earn an average of 50,000 US dollars a year. Orange county is worse for designers, with average annual earnings estimated in 60,000 dollars, but it is better for pattern makers, as they make nearly 68,000 US dollars yearly.

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