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Returns Supervisor Salary in the United States

How much does a Returns Supervisor make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Returns Supervisor in the United States is $58,744 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,326
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,586 to $66,900
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,979

Key Factors That Influence Returns Supervisor Salaries

A Returns Supervisor'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 Returns Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Returns Supervisor'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): $56,446
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $56,722
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $57,641
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $59,353
  • Expert (over 8 years): $61,179
Levels Salary
Entry Level Returns Supervisor$56,446
Intermediate Level Returns Supervisor$56,722
Senior Level Returns Supervisor$57,641
Specialist Level Returns Supervisor$59,353
Expert Level Returns Supervisor$61,179

Top Paying Cities for Returns Supervisor

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: $74,094
  • San Francisco: $73,283
  • Oakland: $71,738

What Skills Can Increase a Returns Supervisor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.8% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Supply Chain (Mentioned in 3.12% 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.
  • ERP Systems (Mentioned in 2.23% Job Postings): Leveraging advanced tools and software systems to automate and manage core business functions cost-effectively to maximize performance.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.8%
Supply Chain 3.12%
ERP Systems 2.23%

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 Returns Supervisor's salary.

  • Customer Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 36%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Communications $79,892
36%
Collaboration $67,556
15%
Initiative $66,968
14%

Returns Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Returns Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $64,775. While startup companies pay approximate $54,623.

Returns Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $54,623
Growth Stage 51~500 $57,822
Established 501~5000 $62,509
Enterprise 5000+ $64,775

Returns Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Returns Supervisor 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, Returns Supervisor positions in Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Returns Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Returns Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$70,493$34.020%

How Education impacts an Returns Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Returns Supervisor 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 Returns Supervisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $56,285 and $61,014.

Returns Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Returns Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 50.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 8.3%
Bachelors 37.5%
Masters 4.2%
Doctorate 0.0%

Returns Supervisor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Returns Supervisor'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, 2026
$52,586
Average $58,744/year
$66,900
$4,382
Average $4,895/month
$5,575
$1,011
Average $1,130/week
$1,287
$25
Average $28/hour
$32
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $66,900 $5,575 $1,287 $32
Average $58,744 $4,895 $1,130 $28
25th Percentile $52,586 $4,382 $1,011 $25

Returns Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Returns Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Returns Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $65,956 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Returns Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for Returns Supervisor

Here are companies hiring for Returns Supervisor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Returns Supervisor

1. Where can a Returns Supervisor earn the most?

A Returns Supervisor'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 Returns Supervisor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Returns Supervisor is $74,094.

2. What is the highest pay for Returns Supervisor?

The highest pay for Returns Supervisor is $74,326.

3. What is the lowest pay for Returns Supervisor?

The lowest pay for Returns Supervisor is $46,979.

4. What are the responsibilities of Returns Supervisor?

Supervises the receipt of goods for return and coordinates return of goods to vendors. Handles defective, discontinued or recalled goods and destroys returned goods as appropriate. Ensures the returns process follows appropriate procedures and maintains documents as necessary. May require an associate degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Returns Supervisor?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Returns Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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