How much does a retail salesperson make in California?
$38,440a year
Median yearly pay for retail salespersons in California. That is $18.48 an hour or $3,203 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.48
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 376,460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,240Median: $38,440Highest 10%: $54,310
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,240 | $16.94 | |
| 25th | $36,350 | $17.48 | |
| Median | $38,440 | $18.48 | |
| 75th | $45,460 | $21.86 | |
| 90th | $54,310 | $26.11 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $44,220 |
| San Francisco, CA | $43,850 |
| Napa, CA | $40,780 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $39,570 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $38,620 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,420 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,100 |
| Salinas, CA | $37,970 |
| Hanford, CA | $37,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $37,810 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $37,780 |
| Merced, CA | $37,740 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $37,700 |
| Stockton, CA | $37,660 |
| Modesto, CA | $37,430 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,310 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $37,200 |
| Oxnard, CA | $36,880 |
| Riverside, CA | $36,720 |
| Chico, CA | $36,680 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,460 |
| Redding, CA | $36,450 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $36,320 |
| Visalia, CA | $35,990 |
| El Centro, CA | $35,490 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for retail salespersons.
| 1. Washington | $39,560 |
| 2. District of Columbia | $38,500 |
| 3. California | $38,440 |
| 4. Colorado | $37,950 |
| 5. Hawaii | $37,790 |
| 6. New York | $37,720 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $18.48 ($38,440 a year).
Do retail salespersons make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $38,440 against $35,410 nationally, 9% more.
Where does California rank for retail salesperson pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays retail salespersons the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $44,220 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.