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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apparel Designer III in North Carolina is $92,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.
However, an Apparel Designer III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Apparel Designer III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $98,600 | $8,217 | $1,896 | $47 |
| Average | $92,600 | $7,717 | $1,781 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,300 | $6,942 | $1,602 | $40 |
Rosendin - Charlotte, NC
Urban Architectural Group - Matthews, NC
Urban Architectural Group - Matthews, NC
Royce Apparel - Salisbury, NC
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 | $58,358 |
| Apparel Designer II | 2-4 years | $72,049 |
| Apparel Designer III | 4-7 years | $92,516 |
| Apparel Designer IV | 7+ years | $128,769 |
| Manager of Apparel | 7+ years | $122,267 |
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 $102,521. While startup companies pay approximate $86,645.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $86,645 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $91,659 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $98,984 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $102,521 |
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 | $111,120 | $53.0 | 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 | $98,600 | $8,217 | $1,896 | $47 |
| Average | $92,600 | $7,717 | $1,781 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,300 | $6,942 | $1,602 | $40 |
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 $128,800 - 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.
Augusta Sportswear Brands
Statesville, NC
Augusta Sportswear Brands | Statesville, NC
A recognized apparel company is seeking a Graphic Designer responsible for creating design concepts and collaborating with various teams to streamline prod... more
2 Days Ago
Penske Racing South
Mooresville, NC
Penske Racing South | Mooresville, NC
Job Description. Job Description. Job Description. We are looking for a talented Apparel Designer to join our innovative team at Team Penske. In this role,... more
5 Days Ago
Cyntergy
TULSA, OK
Cyntergy | TULSA, OK
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER LOCATION | Tulsa, OK REPORTS TO | Director of Architecture TEAM | Architecture POSITION SUMMARY At Cyntergy, you’ll be involved in a... more
10 Days Ago
Floor
TEMPE, AZ
Floor | TEMPE, AZ
Base Pay This role has a minimum base pay from $17.30 per hour with higher starting pay available based on experience. Purpose: Floor & Decor Sr. Designer ... more
2 Days Ago
True Spec Golf
SCOTTSDALE, AZ
True Spec Golf | SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Position: Graphic Designer Department: Marketing Reports To: Director of Marketing Operations Office Location: Scottsdale, AZ (Full Time, On-Site) Job Summ... more
2 Days Ago
Adams Outdoor
CHARLOTTE, NC
Adams Outdoor | CHARLOTTE, NC
JOB SUMMARY: Adams Outdoor Advertising (AOA), the 4th largest and largest private Outdoor Advertising firm in the U.S., is seeking an experienced Graphic D... more
2 Days Ago
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