Retail Salesperson Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$39,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $35,410
State Rank
#1 of 51
84,850 employed here

How much does a Retail Salesperson make in Washington?

A Retail Salesperson working in Washington earns a median salary of $39,560 per year, or about $19.02 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $35,410 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $35,860 while the top 10% make $54,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,130 and $45,170 a year.

Retail Salesperson salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,860$17.24
25th percentile (early career)$37,130$17.85
50th percentile (median)$39,560$19.02
75th percentile (experienced)$45,170$21.72
90th percentile (top earners)$54,660$26.28

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 1st 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($39,560) 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 Washington?
The median Retail Salesperson salary in Washington is $39,560 per year, or about $19.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,860 at the entry level to $54,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Retail Salespersons about 12% more than the national median of $35,410. Washington ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Retail Salespersons?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $39,560 a year. About 84,850 Retail Salespersons are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.