Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sales Associate in California is $105,713 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $51.
However, a Sales Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI-Powered HR
Sales Associate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $116,041 | $9,670 | $2,232 | $56 |
| Average | $105,713 | $8,809 | $2,033 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,948 | $7,746 | $1,787 | $45 |
RocketTown Automotive Group - Lompoc, CA
Trust Automotive Group - Palmdale, CA
Fremont Chevrolet - Fremont, CA
Petco Health and Wellness - Cathedral City, CA
A Sales Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Sales Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Sales Rep... Level Sales Associate | $66,541 |
| Sales Rep... Level Sales Associate | $84,614 |
| Sales Ass... Level Sales Associate | $108,373 |
| Sales Rep... Level Sales Associate | $142,973 |
| Sales Rep... Level Sales Associate | $160,440 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Sales Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Sales Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Sales Associate positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Sales Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $132,142 | $64.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $126,856 | $61.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $126,856 | $61.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $121,570 | $58.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $116,285 | $56.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Sales Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $116,041 | $9,670 | $2,232 | $56 |
| Average | $105,713 | $8,809 | $2,033 | $51 |
| 25th Percentile | $92,948 | $7,746 | $1,787 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Sales Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Petco Health and Wellness
Monterey, CA
Petco Health and Wellness | Monterey, CA
Sales Solutions Generalist. Create a healthier, brighter future for pets, pet parents and people. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting... more
9 Days Ago
Walmart
Lancaster, CA
Walmart | Lancaster, CA
Hourly Wage:$17 - $30 per/hour The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the job location.Additional compensation... more
10 Days Ago
BoxLunch & Hot Topic
Santa Maria, CA
BoxLunch & Hot Topic | Santa Maria, CA
Join the loudest store in the mall. We're looking for music and pop culture fanatics to help create the best experience for our customers.As a Hot Topic Sa... more
10 Days Ago
Root'd in the 510
Oakland, CA
Root'd in the 510 | Oakland, CA
Job Overview Root'd in the 510 is seeking an experienced Cannabis Sales Associate to join our retail and lounge team.Sales Associates are essential to our ... more
10 Days Ago
Crocs
National City, CA
Crocs | National City, CA
Sales Associate Requisition ID:13144 Job Location(s):National City, CA, US, 91950 Time in Office:Onsite At Crocs, Inc., every career offers a chance to mak... more
10 Days Ago
First Marketing Solutions inc
San Bernardino, CA
First Marketing Solutions inc | San Bernardino, CA
Looking for a role where you can connect with people, build confidence in sales, and make a real impact in the community. Our company is partnering with ou... more
10 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
