Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers
SOC code 41-9091 · O*NET-SOC 41-9091.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Sales
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$41,380
a year
Hourly
$19.89
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,850
$21.08 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,470 – $47,390
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$32,010 – $51,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
2,760
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $32,010
- $15.39/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,470
- $17.54/hr
- Median percentile
- $41,380
- $19.89/hr
- 75th percentile
- $47,390
- $22.78/hr
- 90th percentile
- $51,470
- $24.74/hr
What do door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers do?
Sell goods or services door-to-door or on the street.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Explain products or services and prices and demonstrate use of products.
- Develop prospect lists.
- Deliver merchandise and collect payment.
- Write and record orders for merchandise or enter orders into computers.
- Arrange buying parties and solicit sponsorship of such parties to sell merchandise.
- Answer questions about product features and benefits.
- Distribute product samples or literature that details products or services.
- Circulate among potential customers or travel by foot, truck, automobile, or bicycle to deliver or sell merchandise or services.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 57% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Less than a High School Diploma57%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)43%
Common questions
How much does a door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers earn?
The national median is $41,380 a year. The full range runs from $32,010 at the 10th percentile to $51,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.4/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Writing2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Sales and Marketing4.2/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Administrative3.0/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Education and Training2.6/5
- Personnel and Human Resources2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Persuasion, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Negotiation, Judgment and Decision Making.