Assistant Merchandise Planner Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Merchandise Planner make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Merchandise Planner in the United States is $81,195 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $103,466
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,994 to $92,853
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,527

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Merchandise Planner Salaries

An Assistant Merchandise Planner's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant 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: $102,412
  • San Francisco: $101,290
  • Oakland: $99,156

What Skills Can Increase an Assistant 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%

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 Assistant 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 $95,811
18%
Decision Making $94,999
17%
Initiative $94,187
16%

Assistant Merchandise Planner Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant 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, Assistant Merchandise Planner positions in MFG Nondurable or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Merchandise Planner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Merchandise Planner

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$113,674$55.040%
Internet$105,554$51.030%
Aerospace & Defense$101,494$49.025%
Energy & Utilities$97,434$47.020%
Hospitality & Leisure$93,375$45.015%

How Education impacts an Assistant Merchandise Planner's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Merchandise Planners enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Assistant Merchandise Planner with a No Diploma is between $74,378 and $79,738).

Assistant Merchandise Planner Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant 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%

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

Understanding how an Assistant 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 October 01, 2026
$72,994
Average $81,195/year
$92,853
$6,083
Average $6,766/month
$7,738
$1,404
Average $1,561/week
$1,786
$35
Average $39/hour
$45
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,853 $7,738 $1,786 $45
Average $81,195 $6,766 $1,561 $39
25th Percentile $72,994 $6,083 $1,404 $35

Most common benefits for Assistant Merchandise Planner

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

Common company salaries for Assistant Merchandise Planner

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

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FAQ about Assistant Merchandise Planner

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assistant Merchandise Planner?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant 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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