Retail Salesperson Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Retail Salespersons in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$38,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $35,410
State Rank
#2 of 51
4,660 employed here

How much does a Retail Salesperson make in District of Columbia?

A Retail Salesperson working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $38,500 per year, or about $18.51 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $35,410 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $36,400 while the top 10% make $49,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,820 and $44,230 a year.

Retail Salesperson salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,400$17.50
25th percentile (early career)$37,820$18.18
50th percentile (median)$38,500$18.51
75th percentile (experienced)$44,230$21.26
90th percentile (top earners)$49,530$23.81

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Retail Salesperson pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$39,560
2District of Columbia$38,500
3California$38,440
4Colorado$37,950
5Hawaii$37,790

Working as a Retail Salesperson in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 3,898,000 people work as Retail Salespersons in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($38,500) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Retail Salesperson make in District of Columbia?
The median Retail Salesperson salary in District of Columbia is $38,500 per year, or about $18.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,400 at the entry level to $49,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Retail Salespersons about 9% more than the national median of $35,410. District of Columbia ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Retail Salespersons?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $38,500 a year. About 4,660 Retail Salespersons are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Retail Salesperson salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.