Retail Salesperson Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$37,720
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+7% vs US median
US median $35,410
State Rank
#6 of 51
238,540 employed here

How much does a Retail Salesperson make in New York?

A Retail Salesperson working in New York earns a median salary of $37,720 per year, or about $18.13 per hour. That is 7% above the national median of $35,410 for this occupation.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $33,650 while the top 10% make $58,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,670 and $44,130 a year.

Retail Salesperson salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,650$16.18
25th percentile (early career)$35,670$17.15
50th percentile (median)$37,720$18.13
75th percentile (experienced)$44,130$21.22
90th percentile (top earners)$58,630$28.19

How New York compares

New York ranks 6th 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 New York

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 New York pay ($37,720) 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 New York?
The median Retail Salesperson salary in New York is $37,720 per year, or about $18.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,650 at the entry level to $58,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Retail Salespersons about 7% more than the national median of $35,410. New York ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Retail Salespersons?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $37,720 a year. About 238,540 Retail Salespersons are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.