SOC 41-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Retail Salespersons — Charleston
Charleston, WV · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Retail Salespersons in Charleston, WV is $29,050 per year, 18.0% below the national median of $35,410.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Retail Salespersons in Charleston, WV is $29,050 per year, 18.0% below the national median of $35,410. Half of workers earn between $25,200 and $35,520. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,250 and the ninetieth at $40,440.
Employment stands at 2,650, or 25.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Wheeling records the highest median at $29,370. Of the 341 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 317th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,250 | −37.2% |
| 25th | $25,200 | −28.8% |
| Median (50th) | $29,050 | −18.0% |
| 75th | $35,520 | +0.3% |
| 90th | $40,440 | +14.2% |
| Mean | $31,720 | −10.4% |
Other metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wheeling | $29,370 | 1,960 | |
| 2 | Morgantown | $28,570 | 2,090 | |
| 3 | Huntington | $28,220 | 4,290 | |
| 4 | Parkersburg | $28,220 | 1,580 | |
| 5 | Weirton | $27,640 | 940 | |
| 6 | Beckley | $27,630 | 1,410 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Charleston run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $29,050 goes as far as $32,458 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,458US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,050 a year, 18.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,250 to $40,440 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,650 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wheeling, at $29,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Retail Salespersons in Charleston, WV?
The median annual wage is $29,050, or $13.97 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,410, so pay in Charleston, WV is 18.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Charleston, WV earns more than $40,440 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,250 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Wheeling, at $29,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,650 jobs in this occupation in Charleston, WV. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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