Retail Associate Salary

Average Retail Associate Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$32,382 Per Year

Salary Range: $22,551 to $47,589

Retail Associate Salary

$22,551

10%

$24,347

25% 

$ 32,382

AVERAGE

$36,674

75%  

$47,589

90%  

How Much Does a Retail Associate Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Retail Associate is $32,382 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $32,382 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

SAP business and customer relations management software – Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Database software – Data base user interface and query software

Autodesk AutoCAD – Computer aided design CAD software

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat – Document management software

Microsoft SharePoint – Cloud-based data access and sharing software

Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop – Graphics or photo imaging software

Knowledge and Expertise

Sales and Marketing

Customer and Personal Service

Administration and Management

Mathematics

Administrative

Psychology

Soft Skills

Persuasion

Active Listening

Speaking

Service Orientation

Social Perceptiveness

Negotiation

What is the salary range of a Retail Associate?

Retail Associate salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $32,382 but a Retail Associate can earn a base salary anywhere from $22,551 to $47,589 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Retail Associate job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Retail Associate?

The highest Retail Associate salaries in the top 10% earn more than $47,589 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $36,674 and $47,589 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Retail Associate?

The lowest Retail Associate salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $22,551 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $22,551 and $24,347 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Retail Associate?

If we only look at the data for Retail Associate salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Retail Associate job would be over $32,382 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Retail Associate would be anything over the top 75%, which is $36,674 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Retail Associate?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Retail Associate. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Retail Associate?

The top paying industries for a Retail Associate job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • General Merchandise Stores
  • Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores
  • Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
  • Clothing Stores
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Retail Associate Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Retail Associate would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Retail Associate, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Retail Associate make good money?

 In general, a Retail Associate can make a decent salary but is a little lower than average. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is more than the average Retail Associate salary, meaning this might not be a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Retail Associate pay is below the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 47,589 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 22,551 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Retail Associate, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Retail Associate will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Retail Associate?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Retail Associate in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Retail Associate is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Retail Associate?

The money a Retail Associate can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Retail Associate earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.