Retail Sales Representative Salary

Average Retail Sales Representative Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$32,426 Per Year

Salary Range: $22,580 to $47,842

Retail Sales Representative Salary

$22,580

10%

$24,395

25% 

$ 32,426

AVERAGE

$36,697

75%  

$47,842

90%  

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

The national average salary for a  Retail Sales Representative is $32,426 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 $32,426 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 Sales Representative?

Retail Sales Representative salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $32,426 but a Retail Sales Representative can earn a base salary anywhere from $22,580 to $47,842 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Retail Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative?

The highest Retail Sales Representative salaries in the top 10% earn more than $47,842 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $36,697 and $47,842 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 Sales Representative?

The lowest Retail Sales Representative salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $22,580 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $22,580 and $24,395 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 Sales Representative?

If we only look at the data for Retail Sales Representative salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Retail Sales Representative job would be over $32,426 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Retail Sales Representative would be anything over the top 75%, which is $36,697 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Retail Sales Representative?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Retail Sales Representative. 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 Sales Representative?

The top paying industries for a Retail Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Retail Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative, 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 Sales Representative make good money?

 In general, a Retail Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative salary, meaning this might not be a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Retail Sales Representative 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 47,842 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 22,580 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Retail Sales Representative, 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 Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative?

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 Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative?

The money a Retail Sales Representative 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 Sales Representative 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.