As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Apparel in the United States is $197,100 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $95.
However, a Director of Apparel's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
A Director of Apparel'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 a Director of Apparel'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 Director of Apparel | $187,187 |
| Intermediate Level Director of Apparel | $188,637 |
| Senior Level Director of Apparel | $190,572 |
| Specialist Level Director of Apparel | $193,473 |
| Expert Level Director of Apparel | $197,100 |
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 Director of Apparels. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Understanding how a Director of Apparel'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 a Director of Apparel, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Vice President of Apparel role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $219,600 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
Salaries for a Director of Apparel can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary from $202,248 in 2023 to around $202,248 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Director of Apparel salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2023 |
View More
|
| 2024 | $202,248 |
| 2025 |
View More
|
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Director of Apparel and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Director of Apparel job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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.
A Director of Merchandising leads a team to manage product lines, oversee inventory, and develop tailored assortments for specific markets. They leverage marketplace data and consumer insights to meet local demands. The salary for this role typically ranges from $170,400 to $232,000, with a midpoint of $195,800, reflecting the level of expertise and responsibility involved.
Directors of Apparel are compensated significantly better than the general average for producers and directors. With a minimum salary of $170,400, a mid-range salary of $195,800, and a maximum salary of $232,000, they earn well above the median annual wage of $82,510 reported for the broader category. This indicates that directors in this field are indeed well-paid.
A Director of Apparel oversees the design, production, and quality of clothing lines. They ensure that products meet market trends and quality standards. With a salary range from $170,400 to $232,000, they utilize strong organizational skills to implement testing systems, streamline processes, and enhance collaboration among teams to deliver high-quality apparel.
The average salary for a Director of Apparel in the United States ranges from $170,400 to $232,000, with a mid-point salary of $195,800. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role in the industry.
As of January 2025, the salary for a Director of Apparel in the United States ranges from $170,400 to $232,000 annually, with a median salary of $195,800. This reflects the higher level of responsibility and expertise compared to an apparel merchandiser, whose average salary is significantly lower.
The salary for a Director of Apparel typically ranges from $170,400 to $232,000 per year. The average salary is around $195,800. This figure reflects base salary and may include additional compensation such as bonuses or profit sharing, which can vary by company and individual performance.
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.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
