How much does a retail sales associate make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $2,968 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $2,562
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.7 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $63,220 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $62,970 |
| 3. Belgium estimate | $56,880 |
| 11. Australia | $36,560 |
| 12. United States | $35,620 |
| 13. Netherlands estimate | $34,310 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $344 |
Similar jobs
Service and sales workers
- Shop keeper$105,800
- Retail store supervisor$48,520
- Market trader$41,380
- Food stall holder$35,390
- Cashier$32,900
- Runway model$48,470
- Promotions demonstrator$39,320
- Door to door seller$41,380
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Washington | $40,060 |
| California | $38,840 |
| Colorado | $38,530 |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 |
| Vermont | $38,170 |
| Hawaii | $38,130 |
| Alaska | $38,020 |
| New York | $37,950 |
| North Dakota | $37,600 |
| Oregon | $37,400 |
See all 51 states
| Maine | $37,350 |
| Montana | $37,340 |
| Minnesota | $37,140 |
| New Jersey | $37,080 |
| Connecticut | $37,080 |
| Massachusetts | $36,970 |
| New Hampshire | $36,800 |
| Arizona | $36,130 |
| Idaho | $35,930 |
| Maryland | $35,870 |
| Illinois | $35,800 |
| South Dakota | $35,790 |
| Delaware | $35,540 |
| Wisconsin | $35,260 |
| Michigan | $35,240 |
| Rhode Island | $34,970 |
| Wyoming | $34,650 |
| Virginia | $34,500 |
| Nevada | $34,410 |
| Utah | $34,220 |
| Florida | $34,160 |
| Missouri | $33,920 |
| New Mexico | $33,500 |
| Nebraska | $33,110 |
| Iowa | $32,660 |
| Kansas | $32,660 |
| Tennessee | $32,230 |
| Indiana | $32,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,700 |
| North Carolina | $31,460 |
| Georgia | $31,230 |
| Ohio | $31,230 |
| Texas | $31,120 |
| South Carolina | $30,790 |
| Alabama | $30,370 |
| Oklahoma | $30,220 |
| Kentucky | $30,160 |
| Arkansas | $29,790 |
| West Virginia | $29,660 |
| Louisiana | $29,620 |
| Mississippi | $29,090 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Retail Salesperson | $35,410 |
| Parts Salesperson | $38,630 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail sales associate make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $2,968 a month, $35,620 a year.
How much does a retail sales associate make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $27,280 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $48,860.
Which country pays a retail sales associate the most?
Germany, with a median of $43,720 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a retail sales associate the most?
Washington, with a median of $40,060 a year.
Does a retail sales associate make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $43,720 a year against $35,620 in the United States, 1.2 times more.
Who makes more, a retail sales associate or a shop keeper?
A shop keeper: $105,800 a year against $35,620 for a retail sales associate, 3.0 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate