Apparel Buyer Salary in the United States

How much does an Apparel Buyer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apparel Buyer in the United States is $94,281 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $45.

However, an Apparel Buyer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $110,734
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $84,623 to $102,893
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,829
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View as table View as graph 25% $84,623 10% $75,829 90% $110,734 75% $102,893 $94,281 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Apparel Buyer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $102,893 $8,574 $1,979 $49
Average $94,281 $7,857 $1,813 $45
25th Percentile $84,623 $7,052 $1,627 $41
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Key Factors That Influence Apparel Buyer Salaries

An Apparel Buyer'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 Apparel Buyer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Apparel Buyer'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): $52,240
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,363
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $96,293
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $135,176
  • Expert (over 8 years): $79,410
Levels Salary
Merchandi... Level Apparel Buyer$52,240
Merchandi... Level Apparel Buyer$68,363
Apparel B... Level Apparel Buyer$96,293
Merchandi... Level Apparel Buyer$135,176
Merchandi... Level Apparel Buyer$79,410
$52,240 0 yr
$68,363 < 2 yrs
$96,293 2-4 yrs
$135,176 5-8 yrs
$79,410 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Apparel Buyer 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 Apparel Buyers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $104,388.
  • California: $103,992.
  • Massachusetts: $102,606.

Top Paying Cities for Apparel Buyers

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: $118,916
  • San Francisco: $117,614
  • Oakland: $115,136

What Skills Can Increase an Apparel Buyer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.66% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Advertising (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea.:465 Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from public relations in that an advertiser pays for and has control over the message. It differs from personal selling in that the message is non-personal, i.e., not directed to a particular individual.:661,672 Advertising is communicated through various mass media, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, outdoor advertising or direct mail; and new media such as search results, blogs, social media, websites or text messages. The actual presentation of the message in a medium is referred to as an advertisement, or "ad" or advert for short. Commercial ads often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through "branding", which associates a product name or image with certain qualities in the minds of consumers. On the other hand, ads that intend to elicit an immediate sale are known as direct-response advertising. Non-commercial entities that advertise more than consumer products or services include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may use free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. Advertising may also help to reassure employees or shareholders that a company is viable or successful.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.66%
Advertising 2.25%
Product Knowledge 1.35%
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 an Apparel Buyer's salary.
  • Self-Development: Can increase your salary by up to 44%.
  • Return on Investment: Can increase your salary by up to 35%.
  • Product Packaging: Can increase your salary by up to 35%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Self-Development
$135,764
44%
Return on Investment
$127,279
35%
Product Packaging
$127,279
35%
Influencing
$123,508
31%
Store Operations
$121,622
29%
Effective Communication
$120,680
28%
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Apparel Buyer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Apparel Buyer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Apparel Buyer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Apparel Buyer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Apparel Buyer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$113,137$54.020%
Energy & Utilities$108,423$52.015%
Software & Networking$108,423$52.015%
Chemicals$103,709$50.010%
Internet$103,709$50.010%

How Education impacts an Apparel Buyer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Apparel Buyers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Apparel Buyer with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $99,308 and $107,470).

Apparel Buyer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Apparel Buyer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 14.6%
Associates 10.4%
Bachelors 61.7%
Masters 12.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Apparel Buyer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Apparel Buyer'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

Salary Trends for Apparel Buyer

Salaries for an Apparel Buyer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $79,973 in 2023 to around $78,403 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Apparel Buyer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Apparel Buyer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$79,973
2024
$79,197
2025
$78,403
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $79,973
2024 $79,197
2025 $78,403
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Apparel Buyer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Apparel Buyer

Here are companies hiring for Apparel Buyer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Apparel Buyer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Apparel Buyer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Apparel Buyer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Apparel Buyer?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Apparel Buyer 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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