SOC 41-2031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Retail Salespersons — Roanoke
Roanoke, VA · 8 metro areas compared
In Roanoke, VA the median wage is $30,440.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Roanoke, VA the median wage is $30,440. That is 14.0% lower than the national median of $35,410. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,700 and $35,650. The lowest tenth earn under $26,540, while the highest tenth earn more than $44,460.
Employment stands at 4,230, or 27.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Charlottesville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,210. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 368th of 388 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,540 | −25.0% |
| 25th | $27,700 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $30,440 | −14.0% |
| 75th | $35,650 | +0.7% |
| 90th | $44,460 | +25.6% |
| Mean | $33,640 | −5.0% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $34,210 | 2,540 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $33,580 | 16,210 | |
| 3 | Staunton | $33,440 | 1,520 | |
| 4 | Harrisonburg | $33,350 | 1,980 | |
| 5 | Blacksburg | $31,780 | 1,690 | |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $30,820 | 20,890 | |
| 7 | Winchester | $30,780 | 2,290 | |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $30,570 | 2,950 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Roanoke sit close to the national average, so $30,440 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$30,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,109US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,440 a year, 14.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,540 to $44,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,230 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlottesville, at $34,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Retail Salespersons in Roanoke, VA?
The median annual wage is $30,440, or $14.64 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 Roanoke, VA is 14.0% 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 Roanoke, VA earns more than $44,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,540 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 Charlottesville, at $34,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,230 jobs in this occupation in Roanoke, VA. 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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