Retail Salesperson Salary in 2026
How Much Do Retail Salespersons Make?
Retail Salespersons earn a median annual salary of $34,580 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $47,930 at the 90th percentile — a range of $22,330. The highest-paying state is Washington at $38,350.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,600 |
| 25th percentile | $29,140 |
| Median (50th) | $34,580 |
| 75th percentile | $37,850 |
| 90th percentile | $47,930 |
Retail Salesperson Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $38,350 |
| District of Columbia | $37,800 |
| California | $37,250 |
| New York | $37,020 |
| Colorado | $36,960 |
| Alaska | $36,940 |
| Vermont | $36,810 |
| Maine | $36,460 |
| Massachusetts | $36,320 |
| Oregon | $36,140 |
| Hawaii | $36,050 |
| North Dakota | $35,670 |
| New Jersey | $35,630 |
| New Hampshire | $35,440 |
| Connecticut | $35,350 |
| Arizona | $35,320 |
| Minnesota | $35,310 |
| Montana | $35,000 |
| Rhode Island | $34,860 |
| Illinois | $34,490 |
| Maryland | $34,310 |
| Utah | $34,300 |
| South Dakota | $34,260 |
| Delaware | $34,200 |
| Wisconsin | $33,640 |
| Nevada | $33,430 |
| Idaho | $33,400 |
| Michigan | $33,340 |
| Virginia | $32,760 |
| Florida | $31,950 |
| Kansas | $31,670 |
| Wyoming | $31,450 |
| New Mexico | $31,360 |
| Missouri | $31,250 |
| Tennessee | $30,770 |
| Ohio | $30,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,410 |
| Nebraska | $30,350 |
| Indiana | $30,300 |
| Texas | $30,130 |
| North Carolina | $30,090 |
| Iowa | $30,030 |
| Georgia | $29,770 |
| Oklahoma | $29,580 |
| Kentucky | $29,450 |
| South Carolina | $29,450 |
| Alabama | $29,430 |
| Arkansas | $29,420 |
| Louisiana | $28,820 |
| West Virginia | $27,910 |
| Mississippi | $27,810 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Retail Salespersons
Retail Salesperson Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$25,600 – $29,140 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$34,580 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$37,850 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $47,930+ |
How to Earn More as a Retail Salesperson
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Retail Salespersons in Napa, CA earn $44,680 — $10,100 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($37,850) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Retail Salesperson Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Retail Salespersonthis career | $34,580 |
| Sales Manager | $138,060 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Product | N/A |
| Wholesale and Retail Buyer | N/A |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmer | $37,350 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Retail Salesperson requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 41-2031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.