As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an Apparel Designer IV in the United States is $65, which translates to an annual salary of about $135,600.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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An Apparel Designer IV'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 IV'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 II | 2-4 years | $75,817 |
| Apparel Designer III | 4-7 years | $97,354 |
| Apparel Designer IV | 7+ years | $135,503 |
| Manager of Apparel | 7+ years | $128,661 |
| Senior Manager of Apparel | 7+ years | $160,300 |
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 IVs. 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Photoshop
|
$172,212 |
27%
|
|
Adobe Photoshop
|
$170,856 |
26%
|
|
Team Management
|
$169,500 |
25%
|
|
Process Development
|
$168,144 |
24%
|
|
Illustrator
|
$168,144 |
24%
|
|
Product Development
|
$165,432 |
22%
|
Apparel Designer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $150,129. While startup companies pay approximate $126,880.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $126,880 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $134,223 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $144,948 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $150,129 |
For Apparel Designer IV 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, Retail & Wholesale, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Apparel Designer positions in MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Apparel Designer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail & Wholesale | $162,720 | $78.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Apparel Designer IV'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 August 01, 2026Salaries for an Apparel Designer IV can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $116,651 in 2023 to around $113,230 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Apparel Designer IV salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $116,651 |
| 2024 | $115,539 |
| 2025 | $113,230 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Apparel Designer IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest salary for an Apparel Designer is $144,600 per year. The lowest salary in this role starts at $113,800, while the average salary is around $130,600. This reflects the competitive compensation structure for design professionals in the apparel industry.
The salary for an Apparel Designer ranges from a minimum of $113,800 to a maximum of $144,600, with a mid-range salary of $130,600. This indicates that the compensation for a Color Designer II at NIKE may be lower than the average for this role, which is estimated at $82,010 per year in the United States.
Yes, you can make money selling t-shirt designs. With online tools available, starting a t-shirt business is easier than ever. By targeting a specific audience and creating appealing designs, you can generate income. As an apparel designer, salaries range from $113,800 to $144,600, reflecting the potential profitability in this creative field.
Fashion designers create collections of clothing and accessories that they sell to retailers, boutiques, or directly to consumers. Their earnings can vary significantly, with salaries typically ranging from $113,800 to $144,600, depending on experience and market demand. They profit from the sale of products, including ready-to-wear and haute couture designs.
The highest-paid designer is an Apparel Designer, with a salary range from $113,800 to $144,600. The average salary is approximately $130,600. This positions them among the top earners in the design field, surpassing many other design roles such as game designers and UI/UX designers.
SHEIN's pay for designers appears to be lower than the industry standard. Based on salary data for apparel designers, the minimum salary is approximately $113,800, the mid-salary is around $130,600, and the maximum salary can reach $144,600. This indicates that SHEIN's compensation may not align with typical market rates for this role.
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.
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