Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Retail Salespersons
SOC: 41-2031 O*NET: 41-2031.00
Median Salary
$35,410
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?
Entry Level
$27,210
10th percentile
Early Career
$29,900
25th percentile
Median
$35,410
50th percentile
Experienced
$38,670
75th percentile
Top Earners
$47,890
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,210
25th
$29,900
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$35,410
Mean: $37,310
75th
$38,670
90th
$47,890
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $20,680 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $29,900 and $38,670
- •Salary spread is 24.8% around the median, showing low variation
- •Total national employment: 3,897,860 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,936,700
Top Industries
Retail Trade91.1%
General Merchandise Retailers20.4%
Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers17.7%
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
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Retail Salespersons professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
376,460 jobs$38,4400.82x
Texas
341,640 jobs$30,8000.97x
Florida
333,460 jobs$34,0101.34x
New York
238,540 jobs$37,7200.98x
Georgia
143,120 jobs$30,8401.17x
Pennsylvania
141,790 jobs$31,2000.93x
Ohio
137,370 jobs$30,8000.99x
North Carolina
127,540 jobs$31,3701.03x
Illinois
126,610 jobs$35,3700.83x
Michigan
111,010 jobs$34,6401.01x
Virginia
100,290 jobs$34,2400.97x
Arizona
93,920 jobs$35,7201.16x
Tennessee
87,380 jobs$31,9501.06x
Massachusetts
86,860 jobs$36,6100.95x
Washington
84,850 jobs$39,5600.95x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Persuasion
100%
#2
Sales and Marketing
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Service Orientation
94%
#5
Oral Comprehension
92%
#6
Customer and Personal Service
88%
#7
Speaking
86%
#8
Speech Clarity
82%
#9
Active Listening
80%
#10
English Language
76%
Skills Overview
Persuasion
advanced5.0
100%
Sales and Marketing
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Customer and Personal Service
intermediate4.4
88%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Speech Clarity
intermediate4.1
82%
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
Sales and Marketing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speech Clarity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Speech Recognition
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
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
- ✓Sales and Marketing
Learn on the Job:
- →Negotiation
- →Writing
- →Administration and Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Sales and Marketing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Sales and Marketing
- ★Customer and Personal Service
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
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
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
MODERATE
👥
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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)
1
Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Maintain records related to sales.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Retail Salespersons
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Retail Salespersons professionals typically have a ECR Holland code and highly value relationships
EEnterprising
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Retail Salespersons
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.36
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.14
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.14
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.05
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.00
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.95
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
4.1
Attention to Detail
4.1
Integrity
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Social Orientation
3.9
Stress Tolerance
3.9
Independence
3.8
Initiative
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Retail Salespersons.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Retail Salespersons
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.0k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.8k program completions/year
Eastern Gateway Community College
Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.6k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.3k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
978 program completions/year
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
897 program completions/year