Textile Industry: Top 4 Careers


Updated June 26, 2014 ● 695 views

Did you know that in 2012, the U.S. textile industry generated revenue of $54 billion in shipments and has employed around 233,000 people? As per a report in USA Today (, this development has put an end to all the speculations regarding the death of the U.S. textile industry. The textile business is more lucrative than ever. If you’re thinking about a career in the textile industry, then this is the right time.

With varied career options, the textile industry is a sea of opportunities. You just need to figure out your specialty, be it management, technical or creative, among other options. Once decided, going forward on your career path will be easy. Listed below are the top four careers that you can pursue in textile industry.

Textile Technology

As the name suggests, the one who pursues this specialization is known as a textile technologist. It basically deals with the conversion of raw natural material into thread, yarn and fabric. Developing new colors, fabrics and resistance properties such as tensile strength etc. are counted among the key functions of a textile technologist. The product that is developed can be used as fashion apparel, protective clothing for automobiles, furniture and other products. Students who graduate in the US with majors in chemistry/physics/engineering can pursue a career in this textile technology. Professionals can earn anywhere from around $48,830 as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

Eco Fibers:

As the name signifies, eco fibers are environment friendly fibers. Due to its increasing popularity, it is slowly emerging as a separate branch of specialization in the textile industry. Due to the degrading environmental conditions caused by synthetic materials, people nowadays are keen on wearing clothes made from natural materials such as bamboo, nettles, hemp, coconut husks and eucalyptus. One of the growing research domains in the industry is related to the recycling of recycling of factory and consumer waste into fibers through chemical and mechanical processes.

Supply Management:

The fashion industry is one of those industries where constant change is essential for growth. A designer’s line of clothes can be out of stock within a week or a month; so the need of the hour is to get fresh stock. At such short notice periods, only people with high business skills are capable of looking after the supply of the raw material, fabric, etc. Other than clothing, they may have to deal with customers in furnishings or others sectors where the demand is just as high. Those with business degrees or MBA’s with excellent communication skills are preferred. The average salary for supply chain professionals is more than $103,664 since the last 2-3 years.

Textile Design:

This specialization is for those with a creative bent of mind and an interest in the fashion industry. A major in fine arts with knowledge of CAD and costume history among others is preferred. The average salary for a textile designer is $50,000.

For jobs in the textile industry, upload your profile in an online recruitment website. If there is a provision to upload your profile in a website especially dedicated to the textile and fashion industry, then don’t give it a second thought. It’s your one stop solution for a shining future. Don’t wait, do it now.

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