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Merchandise Planner Salary in the United States

How much does a Merchandise Planner make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Merchandise Planner in the United States is $79,405 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Merchandise Planner's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $103,154
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,988 to $91,836
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,235
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Merchandise Planner Salaries

A Merchandise Planner'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Merchandise Planner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Merchandise Planner'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:

  • Merchandise Planner (2-4 years): $79,405
  • Merchandise Planner, Sr. (4-7 years): $93,040
  • Merchandise Planning Manager (7+ years): $112,996
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Merchandise Planner2-4 years$79,405
Merchandise Planner, Sr.4-7 years$93,040
Merchandise Planning Manager7+ years$112,996
View as Graph

How Do Merchandise Planner Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Merchandise Planners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $87,917.
  • California: $87,584.
  • Massachusetts: $86,416.

Top Paying Cities for Merchandise Planners

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:

  • San Jose: $100,154
  • San Francisco: $99,057
  • Oakland: $96,969

What Skills Can Increase a Merchandise Planner's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 12.2% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): A supply chain encompasses everything from the delivery of source materials from the supplier to the manufacturer through to its eventual delivery to the end user.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.09% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 12.2%
Supply Chain 1.47%
Purchasing 1.09%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Merchandise Planner's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $93,698
18%
Decision Making $92,904
17%
Initiative $92,110
16%
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Merchandise Planner Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Merchandise Planner salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,738. While startup companies pay approximate $75,064.

Merchandise Planner Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,064
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,387
Established 501~5000 $85,688
Enterprise 5000+ $88,738

Merchandise Planner Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Merchandise Planner roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Merchandise Planner positions in MFG Nondurable or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Merchandise Planner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Merchandise Planner

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$111,167$53.040%
Internet$103,226$50.030%
Aerospace & Defense$99,256$48.025%
Energy & Utilities$95,286$46.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$91,316$44.015%

How Education impacts a Merchandise Planner's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Merchandise Planner enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Merchandise Planner with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,302 and $81,565.

Merchandise Planner Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Merchandise Planner
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 5.7%
Associates 7.7%
Bachelors 72.5%
Masters 13.4%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

Merchandise Planner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Merchandise Planner'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 September 01, 2026
$71,988
Average $79,405/year
$91,836
$5,999
Average $6,617/month
$7,653
$1,384
Average $1,527/week
$1,766
$35
Average $38/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $91,836 $7,653 $1,766 $44
Average $79,405 $6,617 $1,527 $38
25th Percentile $71,988 $5,999 $1,384 $35

Merchandise Planner Salary Growth & Career Path

Merchandise Planner

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Merchandise Planner, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Merchandise Buyer III $96,751 22%
Merchandise Planner, Sr. $93,040 17%

Most common benefits for Merchandise Planner

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Merchandise Planner

Here are companies hiring for Merchandise Planner and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Merchandise Planner

1. Where can a Merchandise Planner earn the most?

A Merchandise Planner's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Merchandise Planner earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Merchandise Planner is $100,154.

2. What is the highest pay for Merchandise Planner?

The highest pay for Merchandise Planner is $103,154.

3. What is the lowest pay for Merchandise Planner?

The lowest pay for Merchandise Planner is $65,235.

4. What are the responsibilities of Merchandise Planner?

Plans and forecasts for future merchandise buys based on historical buys, reoccurring buys and current inventory levels. Responsible for reviewing stock to sales ratios, responding to changing sales trends, and ensuring plan sales, plan markups, and plan markdowns are achieved by departments. Plans and coordinates merchandise flow-through. Inputs and maintains data in various merchandising systems. May require a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Gains exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Merchandise Planner?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Merchandise Planner roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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