As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apparel Designer III in the United States is $97,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, an Apparel Designer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Apparel Designer III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Apparel Designer III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Apparel Designer III | $93,057 |
| Intermediate Level Apparel Designer III | $93,781 |
| Senior Level Apparel Designer III | $95,228 |
| Specialist Level Apparel Designer III | $98,546 |
| Expert Level Apparel Designer III | $100,743 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Apparel Designer IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Presentation | 8.92% |
| Prototyping | 3.69% |
| InDesign | 1.85% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Research Design
|
$117,854 |
21%
|
|
Prototyping
|
$112,984 |
16%
|
|
Market Research
|
$110,062 |
13%
|
|
Product Design
|
$109,088 |
12%
|
|
Insight
|
$108,114 |
11%
|
|
Process Development
|
$107,140 |
10%
|
Understanding how an Apparel Designer III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026For an Apparel Designer III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Apparel Designer IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $125,500 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.
Salaries for an Apparel Designer III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $94,148 in 2023 to around $92,883 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Apparel Designer III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $94,148 |
| 2024 | $94,115 |
| 2025 | $92,883 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Earnings for apparel designers show a minimum salary of $86,800, a mid-range salary of $98,900, and a maximum salary of $110,900. This indicates that the lowest paid apparel designers earn significantly more than the general fashion designer statistics, reflecting the specialized nature of their work.
The estimated total pay for a Designer III is around $110,900 per year, with an average salary of approximately $98,900 per year. These figures reflect the midpoint of the salary range for Apparel Designers, which ranges from a minimum of $86,800 to a maximum of $110,900.
How much does a Nike Apparel Designer make? Based on salary data, the annual pay for an Apparel Designer ranges from $86,800 to $110,900, with a mid-salary of $98,900. This translates to approximately $41.67 to $53.23 per hour, or $1,673 to $2,115 per week.
A clothing designer typically earns between $86,800 and $110,900 annually. This translates to a daily income ranging from approximately $238 to $304, based on a standard work year. The average salary for an apparel designer is around $98,900, which equates to about $271 per day.
The salary range for an Apparel Designer is between $86,800 and $110,900, with a median salary of $98,900. While specific company salaries may vary, this range provides a benchmark for what fashion designers can expect in terms of compensation in the industry.
Adidas shoe designers can expect to earn between $86,800 and $110,900 annually, with a mid-salary of $98,900. This compensation reflects the competitive nature of the industry, aligning closely with the average salary for apparel designers in the U.S.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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