Salary guide
Retail Sales Associate Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What retail sales associates earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median retail sales associate salary in the U.S. is $35,410 per year, or $17.03 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $27,210, while the top 10% earned more than $47,890.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Retail Sales Associate pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,210 | $13.08 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $29,900 | $14.38 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $35,410 | $17.02 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $38,670 | $18.59 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $47,890 | $23.02 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $29,900 | $35,410 | $38,670 |
| Per month | $2,492 | $2,951 | $3,223 |
| Every two weeks | $1,150 | $1,362 | $1,487 |
| Per week | $575 | $681 | $744 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects retail sales associate pay
- Commission, bonus and base-pay mix
- Product type (technical, financial and B2B sales usually pay more)
- Licenses such as state insurance or FINRA securities licenses
- Territory, customer base and track record
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a retail sales associate
- Get credentialed: NRF Foundation RISE Up credentials, Product certifications, Customer service training.
- Build specialty experience: Open, close and lead shifts.
- Move up: roles such as assistant store manager and store manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Retail Sales Associate pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of retail sales associates to change by -0.3% from 2025–35, little or no change compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 520,600 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 41-2031 (“Retail salespersons”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Retail Sales Associate salary FAQ
How much does a retail sales associate make per hour?
The median hourly wage for retail sales associates was $17.03 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $13.08 and the top 10% earned about $23.02 or more.
How much does a retail sales associate make a month?
At the median annual wage of $35,410, that works out to about $2,951 per month before taxes, or about $1,362 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a retail sales associate?
New retail sales associates often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $27,210 and the 25th percentile was $29,900 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can retail sales associates earn more?
Common ways include earning NRF Foundation RISE Up credentials and Product certifications, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as assistant store manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 41-2031 (Retail salespersons).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Retail salespersons (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.