Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apparel Designer III in California is $107,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, an Apparel Designer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
Apparel Designer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $114,500 | $9,542 | $2,202 | $55 |
| Average | $107,400 | $8,950 | $2,065 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,700 | $8,058 | $1,860 | $46 |
Jerry Leigh of California - Los Angeles, CA
The Workshop LA - Los Angeles, CA
Clare V. - Los Angeles, CA
True Religion - El Segundo, CA
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Apparel Designer I | 0-2 years | $67,735 |
| Apparel Designer II | 2-4 years | $83,626 |
| Apparel Designer III | 4-7 years | $107,381 |
| Apparel Designer IV | 7+ years | $149,460 |
| Manager of Apparel | 7+ years | $141,913 |
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:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Apparel Designer III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $118,907. While startup companies pay approximate $100,494.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $100,494 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $106,309 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $114,804 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $118,907 |
For Apparel Designer III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, MFG Nondurable, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Apparel Designer positions in Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Apparel Designer III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| MFG Nondurable | $128,880 | $62.0 | 20% |
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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $114,500 | $9,542 | $2,202 | $55 |
| Average | $107,400 | $8,950 | $2,065 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,700 | $8,058 | $1,860 | $46 |
For 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 $149,500 - a projected growth of 39% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Apparel Designer III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Image Solutions, Inc.
Long Beach, CA
Image Solutions, Inc. | Long Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. The Designer is a hands-on creative contributor responsible for supporting apparel, graphic, promotiona... more
5 Days Ago
JAST APPAREL INC
Los Angeles, CA
JAST APPAREL INC | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Technical Designer to join our team. The Technical Designer serves as th... more
5 Days Ago
True Religion
El Segundo, CA
True Religion | El Segundo, CA
A global apparel company is seeking a Graphic Designer to create original artwork for apparel graphics and collaborate cross-functionally.The ideal candida... more
5 Days Ago
Trilon Group
Oakland, CA
Trilon Group | Oakland, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. About Alta. Alta Planning + Design is an active transportation company dedicated to creating active, healthy... more
3 Days Ago
Ware Malcomb
San Francisco, CA
Ware Malcomb | San Francisco, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Are you ready to join a growth-oriented team where creativity meets innovation. At Ware Malcomb, we are a dynamic and for... more
1 Day Ago
Ware Malcomb
San Ramon, CA
Ware Malcomb | San Ramon, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Are you ready to join a growth-oriented team where creativity meets innovation. At Ware Malcomb, we are a dynamic and for... more
3 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
