Median Salary
$35,410
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$17.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$47,890
entry level starts ~$27,210
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 3,898,000 employed
How much does a Retail Salesperson make?
The median pay for a Retail Salesperson in the United States is $35,410 per year — about $17.02 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $27,210, while the most experienced Retail Salespersons in the top 10% earn $47,890.
That is $25,980 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Retail Salesperson salary range by percentile
Half of all Retail Salespersons earn between $29,900 and $38,670 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,210 | $13.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,900 | $14.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,670 | $18.59 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,890 | $23.02 |
|
Highest-paying states for Retail Salesperson
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Retail Salesperson pay at $39,560 a year, followed by District of Columbia ($38,500) and California ($38,440). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $28,640 — a gap of $10,920 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Retail Salesperson salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Washington $39,560District of Columbia $38,500California $38,440Colorado $37,950Hawaii $37,790New York $37,720Vermont $37,400Alaska $37,290Oregon $36,770Maine $36,640Massachusetts $36,610New Jersey $36,520Connecticut $36,490Minnesota $36,370Montana $36,270New Hampshire $36,200North Dakota $36,040Arizona $35,720Maryland $35,510Illinois $35,370Delaware $35,360Idaho $35,080Rhode Island $34,860Michigan $34,640Wisconsin $34,480South Dakota $34,370Wyoming $34,310Virginia $34,240Nevada $34,190Florida $34,010Utah $33,900Missouri $33,460New Mexico $33,300Kansas $32,180Tennessee $31,950Nebraska $31,870Indiana $31,530North Carolina $31,370Iowa $31,360Pennsylvania $31,200Georgia $30,840Ohio $30,800Texas $30,800South Carolina $30,690Alabama $30,040Oklahoma $29,660Kentucky $29,650Louisiana $29,490Arkansas $29,270West Virginia $28,950Mississippi $28,640
Workforce and education
About 3,898,000 people work as Retail Salespersons in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $37,310 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: no college degree is required — most training happens on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Retail Salesperson make in the United States?
The median Retail Salesperson salary in the United States is $35,410 per year, or about $17.02 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $27,210, while the top 10% of earners make $47,890 or more.
How does Retail Salesperson pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Retail Salesperson median of $35,410 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Retail Salespersons the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Retail Salespersons, with a median salary of $39,560 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Retail Salesperson?
Becoming a Retail Salesperson typically requires no formal schooling beyond basic training. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
How many Retail Salespersons work in the United States?
About 3,898,000 people were employed as Retail Salespersons in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.