Retail sales associate salary
BLS occupation: Retail Salespersons · Sales · data for May 2025
Median salary $35,410 a year, US
Median hourly pay $17.03 an hour
Middle half earn $29,900–$38,670 25th to 75th percentile
Retail sales associates employed 3,897,860 −0.3% projected by 2035
How much does a retail sales associate make?
- The median retail sales associate salary in the US is $35,410 a year ($17.03 an hour): half of the 3,897,860 retail sales associates BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $37,310.
- The middle half earn between $29,900 and $38,670. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $27,210 and the top 10% more than $47,890.
- That is 31% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays retail sales associates the most (median $39,560), followed by the District of Columbia ($38,500) and California ($38,440). Mississippi pays the least ($28,640).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in North Dakota, where the median is worth $40,513 in typical US prices, then South Dakota and Montana. Washington's higher pay is offset by its prices (107.0 vs a US average of 100).
- In 0 of the 383 metro areas with data, the median retail sales associate salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of retail sales associates to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 520,600 openings a year. The typical entry education is no formal educational credential.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what retail sales associates are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Retail sales associate salary range
Half of retail sales associates earn between $29,900 and $38,670 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $27,210
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $29,900
Median Yearly pay: $35,410
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $38,670
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $47,890
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $27,210 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $29,900 |
| Median | $35,410 |
| Top 25% earn over | $38,670 |
| Top 10% earn over | $47,890 |
Retail sales associate salary by state
Washington pays retail sales associates the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($35,410), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 median |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 median |
| California | $38,440 median |
| Colorado | $37,950 median |
| Hawaii | $37,790 median |
| New York | $37,720 median |
| Vermont | $37,400 median |
| Alaska | $37,290 median |
| Oregon | $36,770 median |
| Maine | $36,640 median |
| Massachusetts | $36,610 median |
| New Jersey | $36,520 median |
| Connecticut | $36,490 median |
| Minnesota | $36,370 median |
| Montana | $36,270 median |
| New Hampshire | $36,200 median |
| North Dakota | $36,040 median |
| Arizona | $35,720 median |
| Maryland | $35,510 median |
| Illinois | $35,370 median |
| Delaware | $35,360 median |
| Idaho | $35,080 median |
| Rhode Island | $34,860 median |
| Michigan | $34,640 median |
| Wisconsin | $34,480 median |
| South Dakota | $34,370 median |
| Wyoming | $34,310 median |
| Virginia | $34,240 median |
| Nevada | $34,190 median |
| Florida | $34,010 median |
| Utah | $33,900 median |
| Missouri | $33,460 median |
| New Mexico | $33,300 median |
| Kansas | $32,180 median |
| Tennessee | $31,950 median |
| Nebraska | $31,870 median |
| Indiana | $31,530 median |
| North Carolina | $31,370 median |
| Iowa | $31,360 median |
| Pennsylvania | $31,200 median |
| Georgia | $30,840 median |
| Ohio | $30,800 median |
| Texas | $30,800 median |
| South Carolina | $30,690 median |
| Alabama | $30,040 median |
| Oklahoma | $29,660 median |
| Kentucky | $29,650 median |
| Louisiana | $29,490 median |
| Arkansas | $29,270 median |
| West Virginia | $28,950 median |
| Mississippi | $28,640 median |
Where retail sales associate pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Retail sales associates' pay goes furthest in North Dakota once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $40,513 |
| South Dakota | $38,798 |
| Montana | $38,322 |
| Vermont | $38,180 |
| Maine | $37,754 |
| Wyoming | $37,015 |
| Washington | $36,967 |
| Minnesota | $36,879 |
| Missouri | $36,843 |
| Colorado | $36,826 |
Retail sales associate pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 | $19.02 | $35,860 | $54,660 | 84,850 | $36,967 |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 | $18.51 | $36,400 | $49,530 | 4,660 | $35,032 |
| California | $38,440 | $18.48 | $35,240 | $54,310 | 376,460 | $34,718 |
| Colorado | $37,950 | $18.25 | $32,130 | $49,660 | 76,660 | $36,826 |
| Hawaii | $37,790 | $18.17 | $30,660 | $49,230 | 19,180 | $34,370 |
| New York | $37,720 | $18.13 | $33,650 | $58,630 | 238,540 | $34,951 |
| Vermont | $37,400 | $17.98 | $31,060 | $55,700 | 8,250 | $38,180 |
| Alaska | $37,290 | $17.93 | $30,700 | $51,200 | 7,890 | $36,431 |
| Oregon | $36,770 | $17.68 | $31,720 | $49,090 | 48,090 | $35,574 |
| Maine | $36,640 | $17.62 | $31,300 | $49,500 | 18,450 | $37,754 |
| Massachusetts | $36,610 | $17.60 | $33,310 | $47,980 | 86,860 | $34,617 |
| New Jersey | $36,520 | $17.56 | $32,220 | $60,210 | 72,530 | $33,565 |
| Connecticut | $36,490 | $17.54 | $34,150 | $49,850 | 42,410 | $35,219 |
| Minnesota | $36,370 | $17.49 | $28,710 | $48,080 | 74,840 | $36,879 |
| Montana | $36,270 | $17.44 | $28,620 | $48,680 | 13,490 | $38,322 |
| New Hampshire | $36,200 | $17.40 | $29,590 | $49,710 | 23,880 | $34,753 |
| North Dakota | $36,040 | $17.33 | $28,140 | $49,820 | 11,320 | $40,513 |
| Arizona | $35,720 | $17.17 | $30,820 | $47,220 | 93,920 | $35,480 |
| Maryland | $35,510 | $17.07 | $31,200 | $46,130 | 79,320 | $33,832 |
| Illinois | $35,370 | $17.00 | $31,200 | $48,010 | 126,610 | $35,385 |
| Delaware | $35,360 | $17.00 | $31,200 | $47,420 | 13,400 | $35,428 |
| Idaho | $35,080 | $16.87 | $26,330 | $49,980 | 20,180 | $36,735 |
| Rhode Island | $34,860 | $16.76 | $31,200 | $47,060 | 12,830 | $34,083 |
| Michigan | $34,640 | $16.65 | $27,770 | $48,320 | 111,010 | $36,002 |
| Wisconsin | $34,480 | $16.58 | $27,300 | $47,870 | 67,640 | $36,644 |
| South Dakota | $34,370 | $16.52 | $28,190 | $61,720 | 14,180 | $38,798 |
| Wyoming | $34,310 | $16.50 | $24,750 | $54,310 | 8,770 | $37,015 |
| Virginia | $34,240 | $16.46 | $27,540 | $46,590 | 100,290 | $33,866 |
| Nevada | $34,190 | $16.44 | $26,930 | $47,270 | 43,920 | $34,197 |
| Florida | $34,010 | $16.35 | $28,330 | $46,130 | 333,460 | $32,887 |
| Utah | $33,900 | $16.30 | $26,410 | $49,090 | 47,570 | $34,290 |
| Missouri | $33,460 | $16.09 | $28,600 | $46,610 | 67,140 | $36,843 |
| New Mexico | $33,300 | $16.01 | $27,870 | $45,370 | 23,800 | $36,112 |
| Kansas | $32,180 | $15.47 | $23,100 | $46,730 | 33,360 | $35,729 |
| Tennessee | $31,950 | $15.36 | $23,720 | $47,720 | 87,380 | $34,777 |
| Nebraska | $31,870 | $15.32 | $28,080 | $46,380 | 22,780 | $35,371 |
| Indiana | $31,530 | $15.16 | $23,420 | $46,900 | 83,670 | $33,784 |
| North Carolina | $31,370 | $15.08 | $23,040 | $46,070 | 127,540 | $33,257 |
| Iowa | $31,360 | $15.08 | $25,220 | $45,900 | 41,000 | $35,733 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,200 | $15.00 | $23,770 | $46,130 | 141,790 | $31,976 |
| Georgia | $30,840 | $14.83 | $22,590 | $46,430 | 143,120 | $32,027 |
| Ohio | $30,800 | $14.81 | $24,210 | $46,020 | 137,370 | $33,199 |
| Texas | $30,800 | $14.81 | $23,330 | $45,080 | 341,640 | $31,734 |
| South Carolina | $30,690 | $14.75 | $22,330 | $45,510 | 67,310 | $32,736 |
| Alabama | $30,040 | $14.44 | $22,670 | $45,310 | 60,880 | $33,820 |
| Oklahoma | $29,660 | $14.26 | $22,370 | $45,080 | 43,830 | $33,765 |
| Kentucky | $29,650 | $14.25 | $22,400 | $43,850 | 51,250 | $32,886 |
| Louisiana | $29,490 | $14.18 | $21,940 | $45,280 | 49,570 | $33,433 |
| Arkansas | $29,270 | $14.07 | $23,830 | $39,790 | 35,510 | $33,668 |
| West Virginia | $28,950 | $13.92 | $22,260 | $39,520 | 19,050 | $32,347 |
| Mississippi | $28,640 | $13.77 | $22,120 | $41,990 | 38,400 | $32,937 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Retail sales associate salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes retail sales associate pay: 387 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $44,220
- San Francisco, CA $43,850
- Seattle, WA $42,080
- Napa, CA $40,780
- Kahului, HI $39,630
- Santa Rosa, CA $39,570
- Mount Vernon, WA $39,240
- Boulder, CO $38,700
- Longview, WA $38,680
- Santa Cruz, CA $38,620
Where the pay goes furthest
- Lewiston, ID $40,599
- Minot, ND $40,550
- Bismarck, ND $40,352
- The Villages, FL $40,141
- San Jose, CA $40,046
- St. Cloud, MN $39,780
- Grand Forks, ND $39,740
- Longview, WA $39,653
- Rochester, MN $39,638
- Fargo, ND $39,463
All 387 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $44,220 | 18,340 | $40,046 | 103% |
| San Francisco, CA | $43,850 | 39,460 | $37,928 | 94% |
| Seattle, WA | $42,080 | 46,620 | $37,865 | 64% |
| Napa, CA | $40,780 | 2,150 | $36,231 | 86% |
| Kahului, HI | $39,630 | 2,510 | $36,227 | 97% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $39,570 | 5,720 | $36,712 | 81% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $39,240 | 1,730 | $38,304 | 67% |
| Boulder, CO | $38,700 | 4,880 | $36,786 | 68% |
| Longview, WA | $38,680 | 1,120 | $39,653 | 44% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $38,620 | 2,430 | $35,142 | 108% |
| Bremerton, WA | $38,470 | 2,770 | $36,428 | 64% |
| Denver, CO | $38,470 | 40,340 | $36,367 | 59% |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,420 | 4,110 | $35,417 | 77% |
| Bozeman, MT | $38,350 | 2,270 | $37,411 | 69% |
| New York, NY | $38,280 | 202,080 | $34,008 | 111% |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,100 | 22,970 | $35,718 | 71% |
| Salinas, CA | $37,970 | 4,110 | $34,821 | 88% |
| Hanford, CA | $37,900 | 920 | $37,299 | 61% |
| Bellingham, WA | $37,840 | 2,830 | $36,619 | 62% |
| San Diego, CA | $37,810 | 34,390 | $33,793 | 94% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $37,780 | 3,390 | $34,789 | 89% |
| Merced, CA | $37,740 | 1,480 | $38,402 | 65% |
| Bend, OR | $37,720 | 3,190 | $36,407 | 71% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $37,700 | 130,650 | $33,197 | 93% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $37,700 | 1,620 | $36,301 | 56% |
| Stockton, CA | $37,660 | 5,680 | $35,836 | 77% |
| Kennewick, WA | $37,600 | 3,580 | $37,570 | 54% |
| Fairbanks, AK | $37,550 | 1,040 | $36,383 | 59% |
| Anchorage, AK | $37,520 | 4,710 | $35,591 | 60% |
| Carson City, NV | $37,490 | 740 | $38,204 | 66% |
| Modesto, CA | $37,430 | 5,140 | $35,953 | 66% |
| Honolulu, HI | $37,400 | 12,810 | $33,706 | 97% |
| Olympia, WA | $37,350 | 3,180 | $36,028 | 66% |
| Portland, OR | $37,340 | 28,230 | $35,420 | 58% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $37,330 | 12,230 | $34,932 | 93% |
| Burlington, VT | $37,330 | 3,550 | $36,979 | 83% |
| Portland, ME | $37,320 | 8,510 | $36,639 | 74% |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,310 | 1,080 | $35,795 | 65% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $37,200 | 4,490 | $34,192 | 106% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $37,010 | 2,340 | $37,653 | 59% |
| Lewiston, ID | $37,010 | 680 | $40,599 | 48% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $36,940 | 740 | $37,786 | 52% |
| Oxnard, CA | $36,880 | 8,270 | $33,365 | 96% |
| Spokane, WA | $36,880 | 7,400 | $36,753 | 49% |
| Boston, MA | $36,850 | 64,150 | $34,037 | 97% |
| Barnstable, MA | $36,790 | 3,650 | $37,407 | 84% |
| Bismarck, ND | $36,730 | 2,280 | $40,352 | 43% |
| Riverside, CA | $36,720 | 41,270 | $34,498 | 83% |
| Trenton, NJ | $36,720 | 3,090 | $35,588 | 82% |
| Chico, CA | $36,680 | 2,010 | $36,246 | 51% |
| Greeley, CO | $36,670 | 2,650 | $36,606 | 55% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $36,670 | 51,180 | $34,983 | 57% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $36,640 | 5,400 | $36,231 | 65% |
| Yakima, WA | $36,640 | 2,680 | $38,348 | 45% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $36,630 | 1,790 | $36,541 | – |
| Walla Walla, WA | $36,620 | 640 | $37,170 | 48% |
| Washington, DC | $36,610 | 66,920 | $33,623 | 79% |
| Lewiston, ME | $36,540 | 1,430 | $38,570 | 52% |
| Kingston, NY | $36,530 | 1,860 | $36,273 | 66% |
| Fresno, CA | $36,460 | 9,290 | $35,690 | 68% |
| Redding, CA | $36,450 | 1,880 | $36,202 | 54% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $36,440 | 2,150 | $36,322 | 70% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $36,320 | 6,050 | $36,001 | 60% |
| Worcester, MA | $36,220 | 8,830 | $35,329 | 70% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $36,160 | 9,890 | $33,046 | 75% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,060 | 8,820 | $35,807 | 59% |
| Rochester, MN | $36,000 | 2,900 | $39,638 | 53% |
| Albany, OR | $35,990 | 1,040 | $35,250 | 55% |
| Helena, MT | $35,990 | 1,130 | $37,617 | 55% |
| Visalia, CA | $35,990 | 3,920 | $36,053 | 58% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $35,960 | 69,060 | $34,806 | 57% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $35,960 | 2,320 | $36,409 | 65% |
| New Haven, CT | $35,950 | 6,810 | $34,383 | 68% |
| Fargo, ND | $35,860 | 4,160 | $39,463 | 37% |
| Medford, OR | $35,840 | 2,840 | $35,334 | 62% |
| Madison, WI | $35,830 | 8,330 | $36,829 | 60% |
| Chicago, IL | $35,820 | 96,950 | $34,577 | 72% |
| Billings, MT | $35,760 | 2,900 | $38,235 | 47% |
| Salem, OR | $35,760 | 4,550 | $34,501 | 55% |
| Norwich, CT | $35,740 | 3,580 | $35,582 | 70% |
| Hartford, CT | $35,720 | 14,380 | $34,765 | 67% |
| Boise, ID | $35,670 | 9,130 | $36,253 | 65% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $35,630 | 2,190 | $37,318 | 58% |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,580 | 1,950 | $38,774 | 45% |
| Bangor, ME | $35,560 | 2,210 | $36,847 | 51% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $35,540 | 1,850 | $37,369 | 59% |
| Ithaca, NY | $35,510 | 1,170 | $34,370 | 67% |
| El Centro, CA | $35,490 | 1,900 | $37,290 | 61% |
| Springfield, MA | $35,440 | 4,410 | $36,893 | 66% |
| Missoula, MT | $35,430 | 1,990 | $36,736 | 55% |
| Albany, NY | $35,420 | 11,930 | $35,574 | 57% |
| Corvallis, OR | $35,410 | 810 | $34,043 | 61% |
| Eugene, OR | $35,410 | 4,090 | $34,863 | 60% |
| Naples, FL | $35,380 | 6,830 | $34,283 | 88% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $35,370 | 1,210 | $37,622 | 46% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $35,360 | 3,580 | $35,769 | 70% |
| Waterbury, CT | $35,360 | 3,310 | $35,439 | – |
| Manchester, NH | $35,350 | 6,660 | $33,457 | 73% |
| Mankato, MN | $35,350 | 1,780 | $38,865 | 42% |
| Minot, ND | $35,290 | 1,420 | $40,550 | 43% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $35,290 | 2,570 | $35,917 | 64% |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,250 | 8,150 | $36,818 | 55% |
| Providence, RI | $35,230 | 20,910 | $34,616 | 74% |
| Vineland, NJ | $35,230 | 1,130 | $36,710 | 56% |
| North Port, FL | $35,160 | 13,420 | $34,330 | 72% |
| Reno, NV | $35,160 | 7,020 | $34,807 | 71% |
| Detroit, MI | $35,130 | 48,610 | $35,026 | 52% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $35,070 | 1,780 | $36,968 | 49% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $35,040 | 4,570 | $34,734 | 66% |
| Great Falls, MT | $35,000 | 1,130 | $36,140 | 49% |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,910 | 15,160 | $36,424 | 50% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | 2,850 | $39,780 | 42% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $34,810 | 63,990 | $33,943 | 66% |
| Baltimore, MD | $34,800 | 39,920 | $33,306 | 67% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $34,800 | 12,600 | $36,422 | 56% |
| Jackson, MI | $34,770 | 1,210 | $37,884 | 41% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $34,650 | 12,220 | $33,855 | 63% |
| Duluth, MN | $34,650 | 3,490 | $39,034 | 46% |
| Rochester, NY | $34,650 | 12,440 | $35,709 | 53% |
| Monroe, MI | $34,620 | 1,250 | $37,030 | 44% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $34,610 | 2,130 | $36,781 | 53% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | 5,960 | $38,177 | 44% |
| Appleton, WI | $34,540 | 3,610 | $37,373 | 42% |
| Traverse City, MI | $34,540 | 2,390 | $36,992 | 64% |
| Tucson, AZ | $34,530 | 11,100 | $35,636 | 52% |
| Utica, NY | $34,530 | 3,010 | $37,258 | 49% |
| Binghamton, NY | $34,460 | 2,540 | $37,108 | 56% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $34,440 | 1,620 | $39,740 | 39% |
| Nashville, TN | $34,420 | 28,580 | $35,728 | 63% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $34,420 | 20,330 | $34,124 | 57% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $34,410 | 18,850 | $35,497 | 54% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $34,360 | 22,390 | $34,538 | 59% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $34,360 | 2,250 | $34,101 | 71% |
| Miami, FL | $34,330 | 91,370 | $30,073 | 93% |
| Flint, MI | $34,320 | 4,080 | $36,890 | 36% |
| Kansas City, MO | $34,320 | 26,110 | $37,085 | 54% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $34,290 | 2,720 | $34,111 | 65% |
| The Villages, FL | $34,290 | 1,400 | $40,141 | 60% |
| Watertown, NY | $34,280 | 1,490 | $39,092 | 52% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,210 | 2,540 | $34,505 | 72% |
| Niles, MI | $34,170 | 1,590 | $36,993 | 49% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $34,160 | 11,370 | $35,752 | 52% |
| Wausau, WI | $34,160 | 1,660 | $36,870 | 34% |
| Elmira, NY | $34,140 | 1,180 | $36,166 | 40% |
| Asheville, NC | $34,110 | 5,570 | $35,345 | 60% |
| Charleston, SC | $34,090 | 11,930 | $33,765 | 72% |
| Green Bay, WI | $34,090 | 4,120 | $36,622 | 39% |
| La Crosse, WI | $34,090 | 2,290 | $37,148 | 48% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $34,070 | 1,530 | $35,309 | 54% |
| Dover, DE | $34,060 | 1,820 | $34,931 | 63% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $34,020 | 6,210 | $33,943 | 81% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $34,000 | 2,650 | $36,640 | 40% |
| Janesville, WI | $34,000 | 1,670 | $36,285 | 46% |
| Crestview, FL | $33,920 | 5,760 | $34,958 | 70% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $33,880 | 3,700 | $34,565 | 70% |
| Champaign, IL | $33,870 | 2,180 | $36,536 | 49% |
| Peoria, IL | $33,870 | 3,710 | $37,126 | 41% |
| Austin, TX | $33,860 | 29,660 | $34,528 | 57% |
| Lansing, MI | $33,840 | 4,750 | $35,624 | 46% |
| Yuma, AZ | $33,840 | 1,840 | $36,502 | 50% |
| St. Louis, MO | $33,820 | 29,750 | $35,567 | 51% |
| Tampa, FL | $33,790 | 45,130 | $33,492 | 71% |
| Columbus, OH | $33,780 | 26,850 | $35,383 | 54% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $33,720 | 33,760 | $33,648 | 62% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $33,660 | 3,130 | $35,491 | 46% |
| Midland, TX | $33,660 | 2,210 | $35,142 | 56% |
| Decatur, IL | $33,650 | 950 | $38,056 | 38% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $33,640 | 1,040 | $36,708 | 40% |
| Charlotte, NC | $33,580 | 35,150 | $34,495 | 62% |
| Kenosha, WI | $33,580 | 2,280 | $33,209 | – |
| Richmond, VA | $33,580 | 16,210 | $34,315 | 61% |
| Rockford, IL | $33,540 | 2,970 | $36,396 | 46% |
| Ogden, UT | $33,450 | 8,200 | $33,334 | 59% |
| Sebastian, FL | $33,450 | 2,500 | $34,026 | 76% |
| Springfield, IL | $33,450 | 2,570 | $36,067 | 43% |
| Staunton, VA | $33,440 | 1,520 | $36,696 | 52% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $33,430 | 3,410 | $37,577 | 44% |
| Des Moines, IA | $33,430 | 11,000 | $36,455 | 46% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $33,430 | 7,670 | $33,428 | 68% |
| Dallas, TX | $33,400 | 100,340 | $32,399 | 60% |
| Deltona, FL | $33,370 | 8,780 | $33,583 | 64% |
| Elkhart, IN | $33,360 | 2,270 | $36,933 | 43% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $33,350 | 1,980 | $35,145 | 61% |
| Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | 3,090 | $37,405 | 52% |
| Bay City, MI | $33,320 | 920 | $36,249 | 37% |
| Midland, MI | $33,260 | 790 | $36,183 | 50% |
| Omaha, NE | $33,260 | 12,080 | $36,187 | 50% |
| St. George, UT | $33,150 | 3,050 | $34,063 | 67% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $33,140 | 1,060 | $37,135 | 46% |
| Huntsville, AL | $33,120 | 7,030 | $35,585 | 50% |
| Provo, UT | $33,120 | 8,710 | $33,716 | 64% |
| Raleigh, NC | $33,100 | 18,660 | $33,721 | 61% |
| Reading, PA | $33,010 | 4,430 | $34,010 | 56% |
| Salisbury, MD | $33,010 | 1,790 | $34,523 | 71% |
| Lebanon, PA | $32,960 | 1,420 | $35,359 | 53% |
| Atlanta, GA | $32,850 | 84,970 | $32,831 | 67% |
| Topeka, KS | $32,820 | 2,270 | $36,951 | 46% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $32,690 | 1,800 | $35,177 | 47% |
| Casper, WY | $32,660 | 1,370 | $34,808 | 53% |
| Kankakee, IL | $32,650 | 1,140 | $33,871 | 49% |
| Springfield, OH | $32,610 | 1,210 | $36,040 | 44% |
| Memphis, TN | $32,580 | 17,050 | $35,344 | 51% |
| Ames, IA | $32,460 | 1,460 | $36,542 | 43% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $32,460 | 1,130 | $35,851 | 42% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $32,320 | 2,090 | $34,233 | 53% |
| Allentown, PA | $32,310 | 9,060 | $32,320 | 68% |
| Orlando, FL | $32,290 | 49,970 | $31,839 | 72% |
| Panama City, FL | $32,290 | 3,490 | $33,187 | 64% |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,160 | 1,230 | $36,512 | 53% |
| Davenport, IA | $32,030 | 4,760 | $35,957 | 38% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $31,900 | 1,410 | $34,633 | 59% |
| Gainesville, GA | $31,870 | 2,590 | $32,935 | 64% |
| Pensacola, FL | $31,870 | 6,720 | $32,615 | 65% |
| Gainesville, FL | $31,830 | 4,220 | $32,905 | 62% |
| Lakeland, FL | $31,820 | 8,220 | $32,757 | 68% |
| Durham, NC | $31,790 | 5,850 | $32,581 | 62% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $31,780 | 1,690 | $34,279 | 63% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $31,770 | 1,310 | $36,778 | 38% |
| Springfield, MO | $31,760 | 5,810 | $35,853 | 47% |
| Morristown, TN | $31,750 | 1,190 | $36,763 | 59% |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,670 | 1,910 | $33,858 | 49% |
| Kokomo, IN | $31,580 | 1,290 | $35,227 | 42% |
| Decatur, AL | $31,550 | 1,580 | $36,176 | 41% |
| Farmington, NM | $31,530 | 1,430 | $35,949 | 53% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $31,530 | 28,840 | $32,948 | 58% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $31,490 | 3,820 | $33,439 | 62% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $31,460 | 7,020 | $34,396 | 58% |
| Birmingham, AL | $31,450 | 15,280 | $34,318 | 54% |
| Columbia, MO | $31,390 | 2,610 | $35,097 | 56% |
| Houston, TX | $31,340 | 78,960 | $31,776 | 63% |
| Lawrence, KS | $31,320 | 1,430 | $34,706 | 60% |
| Waterloo, IA | $31,270 | 2,460 | $35,919 | 39% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $31,240 | 1,490 | $33,424 | 67% |
| Saginaw, MI | $31,210 | 3,410 | $34,338 | 41% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $31,200 | 5,860 | $33,703 | 49% |
| Kingsport, TN | $31,200 | 3,620 | $36,091 | 51% |
| Sebring, FL | $31,200 | 1,150 | $33,741 | 58% |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,150 | 12,430 | $33,651 | 66% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $31,090 | 1,630 | $32,850 | 52% |
| Ocala, FL | $31,090 | 4,430 | $32,646 | 61% |
| Akron, OH | $31,060 | 7,770 | $33,266 | 50% |
| Muncie, IN | $31,060 | 1,710 | $35,236 | 40% |
| Cleveland, OH | $31,000 | 24,650 | $33,006 | 56% |
| Sandusky, OH | $31,000 | 1,510 | $34,722 | 70% |
| Jackson, TN | $30,990 | 2,390 | $36,236 | 54% |
| Lincoln, NE | $30,990 | 4,080 | $33,839 | 50% |
| Racine, WI | $30,970 | 2,340 | $32,274 | 57% |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,960 | 1,810 | $35,453 | 41% |
| San Antonio, TX | $30,960 | 27,580 | $32,687 | 55% |
| South Bend, IN | $30,930 | 4,000 | $33,309 | 49% |
| Bloomington, IN | $30,890 | 1,980 | $32,487 | 68% |
| Greenville, SC | $30,840 | 11,830 | $33,069 | 61% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,840 | 28,700 | $32,576 | 57% |
| Grand Island, NE | $30,830 | 1,070 | $35,577 | 52% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $30,820 | 20,890 | $31,468 | 73% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $30,810 | 28,670 | $32,306 | 59% |
| Wilmington, NC | $30,790 | 6,310 | $31,933 | 68% |
| Toledo, OH | $30,780 | 7,360 | $33,656 | 49% |
| Winchester, VA | $30,780 | 2,290 | $31,913 | 71% |
| Wichita, KS | $30,760 | 7,530 | $34,583 | 47% |
| Greensboro, NC | $30,750 | 9,510 | $33,113 | 55% |
| Joplin, MO | $30,740 | 2,420 | $35,862 | 48% |
| Logan, UT | $30,730 | 1,950 | $32,035 | 56% |
| Lafayette, IN | $30,670 | 2,650 | $32,827 | 58% |
| Sherman, TX | $30,670 | 1,430 | $32,707 | 53% |
| Louisville, KY | $30,660 | 17,540 | $32,942 | 52% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,650 | 2,460 | $32,680 | 59% |
| Rome, GA | $30,590 | 1,520 | $33,928 | 50% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $30,570 | 2,950 | $34,209 | 51% |
| Muskegon, MI | $30,570 | 2,360 | $33,042 | 51% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $30,540 | 3,790 | $33,542 | 58% |
| Hickory, NC | $30,520 | 4,000 | $34,491 | 63% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $30,500 | 7,640 | $30,917 | 58% |
| York, PA | $30,480 | 4,680 | $31,750 | 54% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $30,460 | 2,110 | $33,765 | 58% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $30,440 | 4,240 | $33,095 | 57% |
| Roanoke, VA | $30,440 | 4,230 | $32,515 | 55% |
| Williamsport, PA | $30,430 | 1,300 | $32,951 | 43% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $30,400 | 1,540 | $34,555 | 40% |
| New Orleans, LA | $30,400 | 12,030 | $32,830 | 62% |
| Dayton, OH | $30,360 | 9,170 | $32,753 | 52% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $30,330 | 5,130 | $32,294 | 58% |
| Odessa, TX | $30,320 | 1,900 | $32,291 | 63% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $30,300 | 7,940 | $33,168 | 62% |
| Lancaster, PA | $30,280 | 7,400 | $30,817 | 62% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $30,250 | 1,460 | $35,143 | 40% |
| Pocatello, ID | $30,220 | 990 | $33,991 | 43% |
| Brunswick, GA | $30,200 | 1,790 | $34,432 | 66% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $30,160 | 18,370 | $33,360 | 55% |
| Savannah, GA | $30,160 | 6,820 | $31,679 | 70% |
| Sioux City, IA | $30,150 | 2,220 | $34,874 | 52% |
| Evansville, IN | $30,130 | 4,370 | $32,919 | 44% |
| Lexington, KY | $30,100 | 7,810 | $32,404 | 64% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,100 | 6,790 | $32,702 | 61% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $30,070 | 9,020 | $33,124 | 55% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $30,020 | 1,370 | $33,984 | 74% |
| Scranton, PA | $30,020 | 6,330 | $32,088 | 54% |
| Killeen, TX | $29,970 | 3,870 | $32,886 | 52% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $29,960 | 1,460 | $33,868 | 61% |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,940 | 2,710 | $32,718 | 70% |
| Hinesville, GA | $29,880 | 670 | $31,810 | 70% |
| Columbus, IN | $29,840 | 1,500 | $32,085 | 55% |
| Michigan City, IN | $29,840 | 1,460 | $32,547 | 48% |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,820 | 2,330 | $33,914 | 60% |
| Beaumont, TX | $29,810 | 3,840 | $33,105 | 53% |
| Tulsa, OK | $29,810 | 12,110 | $33,414 | 55% |
| Waco, TX | $29,810 | 3,140 | $32,210 | 57% |
| Mobile, AL | $29,710 | 4,900 | $33,724 | 52% |
| Montgomery, AL | $29,650 | 4,720 | $33,061 | 56% |
| Burlington, NC | $29,630 | 2,570 | $31,793 | 54% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $29,630 | 2,990 | $33,777 | 68% |
| Daphne, AL | $29,600 | 4,550 | $31,260 | 69% |
| Columbia, SC | $29,540 | 10,860 | $31,539 | 63% |
| Manhattan, KS | $29,540 | 1,390 | $32,763 | 51% |
| Abilene, TX | $29,530 | 2,000 | $32,679 | 81% |
| Canton, OH | $29,480 | 4,850 | $32,973 | 46% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $29,480 | 2,040 | $32,014 | 64% |
| Anniston, AL | $29,400 | 1,530 | $34,206 | 39% |
| Wheeling, WV | $29,370 | 1,960 | $33,253 | 35% |
| Augusta, GA | $29,350 | 6,930 | $31,936 | 60% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $29,320 | 7,780 | $31,311 | 70% |
| Amarillo, TX | $29,310 | 3,150 | $31,921 | 54% |
| Slidell, LA | $29,280 | 3,470 | $31,577 | – |
| Greenville, NC | $29,250 | 2,370 | $33,087 | 60% |
| Athens, GA | $29,240 | 2,810 | $31,325 | 73% |
| State College, PA | $29,240 | 1,710 | $30,218 | 80% |
| Houma, LA | $29,220 | 2,060 | $34,335 | 53% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $29,200 | 4,790 | $31,509 | 59% |
| Little Rock, AR | $29,150 | 10,620 | $32,619 | 51% |
| Auburn, AL | $29,140 | 2,300 | $33,139 | 66% |
| Dalton, GA | $29,140 | 1,360 | $32,434 | 58% |
| Longview, TX | $29,130 | 3,110 | $32,553 | 47% |
| Clarksville, TN | $29,100 | 3,470 | $31,997 | 55% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $29,090 | 1,940 | $33,133 | 40% |
| Youngstown, OH | $29,080 | 4,870 | $33,275 | 43% |
| Jackson, MS | $29,070 | 8,770 | $32,645 | 61% |
| Charleston, WV | $29,050 | 2,650 | $32,745 | 50% |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,030 | 1,490 | $32,762 | 51% |
| Shreveport, LA | $28,990 | 4,670 | $34,200 | 53% |
| Florence, AL | $28,980 | 2,080 | $34,168 | 44% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $28,960 | 1,940 | $33,723 | 51% |
| Lima, OH | $28,900 | 1,490 | $32,230 | 50% |
| Gulfport, MS | $28,880 | 5,380 | $32,087 | 59% |
| Mansfield, OH | $28,830 | 1,670 | $32,440 | 37% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,830 | 1,380 | $32,757 | 53% |
| Macon, GA | $28,820 | 2,800 | $32,555 | 50% |
| College Station, TX | $28,800 | 3,120 | $31,665 | 63% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $28,780 | 2,620 | $33,523 | 57% |
| Victoria, TX | $28,780 | 1,440 | $32,035 | 49% |
| Dothan, AL | $28,770 | 2,360 | $34,318 | 51% |
| Enid, OK | $28,770 | 670 | $34,141 | 47% |
| Sumter, SC | $28,720 | 1,010 | $32,629 | 61% |
| Texarkana, TX | $28,700 | 1,650 | $34,162 | 52% |
| Albany, GA | $28,660 | 1,870 | $32,691 | 45% |
| Alexandria, LA | $28,660 | 1,650 | $33,448 | 43% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $28,650 | 1,570 | $31,632 | 54% |
| Florence, SC | $28,650 | 2,600 | $33,017 | 63% |
| Erie, PA | $28,610 | 3,340 | $31,457 | 47% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $28,610 | 1,490 | $31,962 | 55% |
| Lafayette, LA | $28,600 | 5,010 | $32,795 | 58% |
| Valdosta, GA | $28,600 | 1,940 | $32,400 | 56% |
| Hammond, LA | $28,570 | 1,390 | $33,827 | 55% |
| Morgantown, WV | $28,570 | 2,090 | $30,614 | 57% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $28,500 | 860 | $29,881 | 58% |
| Lubbock, TX | $28,480 | 4,580 | $31,188 | 56% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $28,430 | 2,720 | $31,526 | 51% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $28,410 | 2,600 | $32,419 | 55% |
| Paducah, KY | $28,390 | 1,800 | $32,979 | 49% |
| San Angelo, TX | $28,390 | 1,490 | $30,707 | 56% |
| Altoona, PA | $28,370 | 2,090 | $31,696 | 42% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $28,350 | 2,880 | $33,008 | 45% |
| Gadsden, AL | $28,300 | 1,130 | $33,040 | 45% |
| Huntington, WV | $28,220 | 4,290 | $31,915 | 46% |
| Parkersburg, WV | $28,220 | 1,580 | $32,412 | 45% |
| Columbus, GA | $28,180 | 3,580 | $31,558 | 58% |
| Lawton, OK | $28,150 | 1,370 | $32,755 | 48% |
| Tyler, TX | $28,050 | 3,650 | $30,438 | 56% |
| Johnstown, PA | $27,960 | 1,370 | $32,538 | 38% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $27,890 | 1,620 | $32,532 | 53% |
| Brownsville, TX | $27,780 | 3,820 | $32,312 | 65% |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $27,720 | 460 | $33,077 | 50% |
| Monroe, LA | $27,710 | 2,350 | $33,147 | 51% |
| Weirton, WV | $27,640 | 940 | $31,048 | 35% |
| Beckley, WV | $27,630 | 1,410 | $31,267 | 45% |
| Laredo, TX | $27,530 | 3,240 | $31,660 | 49% |
| McAllen, TX | $27,420 | 8,960 | $31,923 | 49% |
| El Paso, TX | $27,330 | 10,070 | $30,396 | 67% |
What the median retail sales associate salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $35,410 |
| Month | $2,951 |
| Every two weeks | $1,362 |
| Week | $681 |
| Hour | $17.03 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a retail sales associate: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 520,600 |
| Self-employed | 3% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate agent | $52,830 | High school diploma |
| Financial services sales agent | $78,660 | Bachelor's degree |
| Insurance agent | $62,280 | High school diploma |
| Sales representative | $72,080 | High school diploma |
| Real estate broker | $73,220 | High school diploma |
Questions about retail sales associate pay
How much does a retail sales associate make an hour?
The median is $17.03 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $13.08 and the top 10% over $23.02.
How much does a retail sales associate make a month?
About $2,951 a month before taxes at the median salary of $35,410, or $1,362 every two weeks.
What state pays retail sales associates the most?
Washington, with a median of $39,560. The District of Columbia ($38,500), California ($38,440), Colorado ($37,950) and Hawaii ($37,790) follow.
Where do retail sales associates make the most after cost of living?
North Dakota: its median of $36,040 is worth $40,513 at typical US prices. South Dakota, Montana and Vermont come next.
How much do entry-level retail sales associates make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of retail sales associates earn under $27,210 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $29,900, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a retail sales associate?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as no formal educational credential. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: short-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 41-2031 (Retail Salespersons). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.