Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Retail salespersons help connect customers with products, using strong people skills and basic product knowledge to support purchasing decisions. This is a very large occupation, with national employment of 3,937,000, which means roles can be found in many communities and types of retail settings. Nationally, the median annual salary is $34,580, and pay levels vary across states and metro areas. The role typically does not require a formal educational credential, making it accessible to students, career changers, and those entering the workforce for the first time. Important skills include customer service, interpersonal abilities, speaking and listening, adaptability, and physical strength and stamina, along with basic mathematics and comfort with computers and information technology. While projected employment growth is slightly negative, there are still many opportunities, with 556,000 annual openings. People considering this career can also explore related paths such as demonstrators and product promoters, counter and rental clerks, postal service clerks, receptionists and information clerks, and hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks.
Retail salespersons earn a national median annual salary of $34,580, with pay differing by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington has the highest listed median salary at $39,560, followed closely by California at $38,440, Colorado at $37,950, and New York at $37,720. Massachusetts is somewhat lower within this group at $36,610. At the metro level, some areas show higher median salaries than their surrounding states. For example, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median of $44,220, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offers $43,850, both above the national median. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro sits at $38,280, while Washington–Arlington–Alexandria offers $36,610 and Boston–Cambridge–Newton $36,850. These figures suggest that relocating or targeting specific metros or states can influence earning potential within this field.
Retail salespersons represent a major segment of the workforce, with national employment at 3,937,000. The projected employment growth rate is -0.5%, indicating a small expected decline in total jobs over the projection period. Despite this modest negative growth, there are still 556,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect a combination of turnover, retirements, and other types of job separations, alongside any new positions created. For job seekers, this means that while overall employment is projected to edge down slightly, the volume of openings remains significant, supporting ongoing hiring activity. The negative growth rate of -0.5% is consistent across the listed top states and metro areas, so candidates should factor in both local opportunity scores and salary levels when evaluating where to pursue roles. The large employment base and many annual openings make this a role with frequent entry points, even as the total number of positions is projected to contract slightly.
Location can make a meaningful difference for retail salespersons in terms of both pay and overall opportunity. Among states, California has the highest median salary listed at $38,440 and the largest employment at 376,460, along with the top opportunity score of 67.38. Washington stands out for the highest state-level median salary at $39,560, with an opportunity score of 56.29. New York and Massachusetts also combine sizable employment (238,540 and 86,860, respectively) with opportunity scores around 65–66. Colorado offers a median salary of $37,950 and an opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and a median salary of $44,220. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $38,280. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA also shows a relatively high median salary of $43,850 and an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria and Boston–Cambridge–Newton provide additional strong metro options with mid-$30,000s median pay and opportunity scores in the low-to-mid 60s.
Retail salespersons typically do not need a formal educational credential, which makes this career open to a wide range of applicants, including those without traditional postsecondary training. However, success in the role relies heavily on a strong skill set. Customer service and interpersonal skills are central, as the job involves frequent interaction with the public. Speaking and listening skills support clear communication, while writing and reading abilities help with basic documentation and understanding product or store information. Mathematics skills are also important, particularly for handling prices and quantities. Physical strength and stamina can matter in roles that involve standing, moving, or handling merchandise. Adaptability helps workers respond to changing customer needs and workplace conditions, and creativity and innovation can support more engaging customer interactions. Mechanical skills and comfort with computers and information technology round out the profile, reflecting the tools and equipment that may be used in modern retail environments.
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