SOC 41-2031 · May 2025 · United States
Retail Salespersons
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Retail Salespersons across the United States is $35,410 per year, measured over 3,897,860 jobs. The highest state median is in Washington, at $39,560.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Retail Salespersons
Pay for this occupation varies by 38.1% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Washington pays $39,560 and Mississippi pays $28,640.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $39,560 | 84,850 | |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $38,500 | 4,660 | |
| 3 | California | $38,440 | 376,460 | |
| 4 | Colorado | $37,950 | 76,660 | |
| 5 | Hawaii | $37,790 | 19,180 | |
| 6 | New York | $37,720 | 238,540 | |
| 7 | Vermont | $37,400 | 8,250 | |
| 8 | Alaska | $37,290 | 7,890 | |
| 9 | Oregon | $36,770 | 48,090 | |
| 10 | Maine | $36,640 | 18,450 |
States with the most Retail Salespersons jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 376,460 | $38,440 | |
| 2 | Texas | 341,640 | $30,800 | |
| 3 | Florida | 333,460 | $34,010 | |
| 4 | New York | 238,540 | $37,720 | |
| 5 | Georgia | 143,120 | $30,840 | |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 141,790 | $31,200 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 137,370 | $30,800 | |
| 8 | North Carolina | 127,540 | $31,370 | |
| 9 | Illinois | 126,610 | $35,370 | |
| 10 | Michigan | 111,010 | $34,640 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $44,220 | 18,340 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $43,850 | 39,460 |
| 3 | Seattle | $42,080 | 46,620 |
| 4 | Napa | $40,780 | 2,150 |
| 5 | Kahului | $39,630 | 2,510 |
| 6 | Santa Rosa | $39,570 | 5,720 |
| 7 | Mount Vernon | $39,240 | 1,730 |
| 8 | Boulder | $38,700 | 4,880 |
| 9 | Longview | $38,680 | 1,120 |
| 10 | Santa Cruz | $38,620 | 2,430 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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