2025 Fashion Entry-level Jobs in Illinois
When you think of entry-level jobs in fashion, you might think of draping your clothing designs over famous models or selling your latest piece for thousands of dollars. While these jobs certainly do exist, they certainly aren’t the only jobs in fashion, nor are they the most common. Some people, for example, become managers of retail stores. These professionals can work anywhere from that trendy, oh-so-happening boutique downtown to the major chain store at the local mall. While being the manager of a clothing store might not sound that glamorous, it’s a wonderful start in the industry and an excellent way to learn more about clothing and how to market it. Plus, store managers typically make around $40,000 per year, so you don’t have to go broke while you’re honing your skills! One should consider other fashion entry-level jobs such as a visual merchandiser. If you’ve always been good at putting outfits together, creating specific “looks,” and knowing what goes with what, you have the potential to excel at this career. Visual merchandisers might decide what models wear for a clothing advertisement or they might even design simple window displays for stores and boutiques. At the lower end of the spectrum, these professionals can make a livable $30,000 per year or so. And what can you do if you’re serious about having one of those glamorous fashion jobs? Well, if you want to be a designer, you can get your start as a design assistant. You’ll play right-hand-man (or woman) to a designer and earn around $42,000 per year on average, but you’ll gain valuable experience and maybe even some valuable connections!
