Retail Salespersons
SOC code 41-2031 · O*NET-SOC 41-2031.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Sales
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation
Retail salespeople are the largest occupation in the country by employment. The work mixes customer help, product knowledge and the practical side of running a shop floor, and it is the most common first job in the economy. Pay rises quickly for people who move into departments with commission or into supervisory roles.
Retail Salespersons pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$35,410
a year
Hourly
$17.03
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$37,310
$17.94 per hour
Middle 50%
$29,900 – $38,670
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$27,210 – $47,890
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
3,897,860
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $27,210
- $13.08/hr
- 25th percentile
- $29,900
- $14.38/hr
- Median percentile
- $35,410
- $17.03/hr
- 75th percentile
- $38,670
- $18.59/hr
- 90th percentile
- $47,890
- $23.02/hr
What does a retail salesperson do?
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Maintain records related to sales.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
How to become a retail salesperson
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 63% 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
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)63%
- Less than a High School Diploma19%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10%
- Bachelor's Degree4%
Common questions
How much does a retail salesperson earn?
The national median is $35,410 a year. The full range runs from $27,210 at the 10th percentile to $47,890 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 retail salesperson 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
- Active Listening3.8/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Writing3.0/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Sales and Marketing4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Administrative3.0/5
- Psychology2.9/5
- Computers and Electronics2.8/5
Transferable strengths: Persuasion, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Negotiation.