Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Retail Salespersons
SOC: 41-2031 O*NET: 41-2031.00
Median Salary
$34,580
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
555.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
What does a Retail Salespersons do?
How much can you earn?
Salary Distribution by Percentile
Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.
10th
$20,748
25th
$27,664
50th (Median)
$34,580
75th
$41,496
90th
$51,870
Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.
Typical Benefits Package
Health & Wellness
- ✓Health Insurance
- ✓Dental Insurance
- ✓Vision Insurance
- ✓Mental Health Support
- ✓Wellness Programs
Financial Benefits
- ✓401(k) Retirement Plan
- ✓Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
- ✓Profit Sharing
- ✓Stock Options
- ✓Performance Bonuses
Work-Life Balance
- ✓Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
- ✓Paid Sick Leave
- ✓Flexible Work Arrangements
- ✓Remote Work Options
- ✓Parental Leave
Professional Development
- ✓Tuition Reimbursement
- ✓Professional Certifications
- ✓Conference Attendance
- ✓Training Programs
- ✓Mentorship Opportunities
Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,936,700
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.5%
Annual Openings:555,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,936,700
Current
2034 (Projected)3,917,100
-0.5%
-19,600
Employment Change
-0.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Persuasion
100%
#2
Service Orientation
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Social Perceptiveness
74%
#6
Negotiation
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Persuasion
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.7
74%
Negotiation
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Persuasion
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Negotiation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Writing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Fundraisers82%
5 shared skills
Real Estate Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Residential Advisors82%
5 shared skills
Social and Human Service Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Negotiation
- →Writing
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Social Perceptiveness
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Retail Salespersons
Technology Intensity
Very High
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechEclipse IDE
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Dynamics
Salesforce software
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Eclipse IDE
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet very high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What education is required?
Education Required
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience Required
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Job Training
Training of a few months to a year