How much does a Parts Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Parts Director in the United States is $151,229 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $178,279
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $136,083 to $165,388
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,293

Key Factors That Influence Parts Director Salaries

A Parts Director'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.

How Experience Level Affects Parts Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Parts Director'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $141,961
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $143,317
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $145,125
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $147,386
  • Expert (over 8 years): $149,647
Levels Salary
Entry Level Parts Director$141,961
Intermediate Level Parts Director$143,317
Senior Level Parts Director$145,125
Specialist Level Parts Director$147,386
Expert Level Parts Director$149,647

Top Paying Cities for Parts Directors

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: $190,745
  • San Francisco: $188,657
  • Oakland: $184,681

What Skills Can Increase a Parts Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 21.62% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Computer Knowledge (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with skill levels ranging from elementary use to computer programming and advanced problem solving.
  • Inventory Management (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): Overseeing and controlling supplies and stock to ensure that an organization maintains an adequate stock quantity.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 21.62%
Computer Knowledge 5.41%
Inventory Management 5.41%

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 Parts Director's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Customer Relations: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $170,889
13%
Initiative $164,840
9%
Customer Relations $158,790
5%

Parts Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Parts Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $169,005. While startup companies pay approximate $142,961.

Parts Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $142,961
Growth Stage 51~500 $151,195
Established 501~5000 $163,196
Enterprise 5000+ $169,005

Parts Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Parts Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Parts Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Parts Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Parts Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$226,844$109.050%
Financial Services$211,721$102.040%
Pharmaceuticals$205,671$99.036%
Energy & Utilities$196,598$95.030%
Biotechnology$189,036$91.025%

Parts Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Parts Director'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
$136,083
Average $151,229/year
$165,388
$11,340
Average $12,602/month
$13,782
$2,617
Average $2,908/week
$3,181
$65
Average $73/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $165,388 $13,782 $3,181 $80
Average $151,229 $12,602 $2,908 $73
25th Percentile $136,083 $11,340 $2,617 $65

Parts Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Parts Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Demand Planning role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $199,753 - a projected growth of 32% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Parts Director

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

Common company salaries for Parts Director

Here are companies hiring for Parts Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Parts Director

1. Where can a Parts Director earn the most?

A Parts Director'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 Parts Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Parts Director is $190,745.

2. What is the highest pay for Parts Director?

The highest pay for Parts Director is $178,279.

3. What is the lowest pay for Parts Director?

The lowest pay for Parts Director is $122,293.

4. What are the responsibilities of Parts Director?

Oversees all parts operations including accounting, parts systems, processes and procedures. Improves parts operations to facilitate growth and successfully achieve the company's long-term strategic goals. Designs policies and procedures for inspection, handling, and processing of parts to be exchanged. Ensures materials and parts are available in accordance with production schedules and commitments. Reviews the parts inventory database and evaluates strategies to optimize inventory. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Parts Director?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Parts Director roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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