Store Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Store Associate make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Store Associate in the United States is $39,340 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Store Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,051
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,227 to $42,330
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,482
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View as table View as graph 25% $35,227 10% $31,482 90% $45,051 75% $42,330 $39,340 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Store Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $42,330 $3,527 $814 $20
Average $39,340 $3,278 $757 $19
25th Percentile $35,227 $2,936 $677 $17
Check out Store Associate Job Openings in the United States
Store Associate

ALDI - Columbus, OH

Store Associate

Honey Baked Ham Co. - Columbus, OH

Store Associate

Gordon Food Service - Columbus, OH

380-Sales Associate - Store

Ashley Stewart, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Search More Store Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Store Associate Salaries

A Store 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Store Associates

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:

  • San Jose: $49,620
  • San Francisco: $49,077
  • Oakland: $48,042

What Skills Can Increase a Store Associate's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.44% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Customer Sales (Mentioned in 1.68% Job Postings): Customer Sales means sales of Goods by Licensee directly or through its authorized wholesalers, representatives or distributors to retail establishments for eventual resale to the consumer.
  • Store Operations (Mentioned in 1.29% Job Postings): Retail operations are the activities that allow online and physical stores to function. The aim of retail operations is to enhance the customer shopping experience and lower the retailer's costs.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 25.44%
Customer Sales 1.68%
Store Operations 1.29%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Store Associate's salary.
  • Prospecting: Can increase your salary by up to 48%.
  • Outside Sales: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Sales Training: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prospecting
$58,224
48%
Outside Sales
$49,569
26%
Sales Training
$47,208
20%
Sales Presentation
$45,635
16%
Time Management
$42,094
7%
Problem Solving
$42,094
7%
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Store Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Store Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and MFG Durable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Store Associate positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Store Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Store Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$47,208$23.020%
MFG Durable$45,241$22.015%
Healthcare$43,274$21.010%

How Education impacts a Store Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Store Associates enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Store Associate with a No Diploma is between $29,454 and $31,363).

Store Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Store Associate
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.7%
High School 44.1%
Associates 15.8%
Bachelors 34.0%
Masters 3.2%
Doctorate 0.2%
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Store Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Store 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Store Associate

Salaries for a Store Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $41,427 in 2023 to around $40,910 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Store Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Store Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$41,427
2024
$41,156
2025
$40,910
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $41,427
2024 $41,156
2025 $40,910
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Store Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Store Associate

Here are companies hiring for Store Associate and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Store Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Store Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • CubeSmart Self Storage

    Columbus, OH

    CubeSmart Self Storage | Columbus, OH

    CubeSmart Self-Storage Job. At CubeSmart, our culture makes the difference. When we say it's what's inside that counts, we are saying "you count". In your ... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Sherwin Williams

    Columbus, OH

    Sherwin Williams | Columbus, OH

    Store Associate. This position is essential to the success of our retail stores. Store Associates work closely with wholesale and retail customers to deter... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Blick

    Columbus, OH

    Blick | Columbus, OH

    Retail Store Sales Associate. By exhibiting exceptional teamwork, boundless curiosity, and the utmost care, the Retail Store Sales Associate will assist th... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana

    Columbus, OH

    Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana | Columbus, OH

    Store Donation Associate. Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana seeks energetic, self-motivated, dynamic professionals to join its expanding team. VOAOHIN i... more

    3 Days Ago

  • The ODP Corporation

    Columbus, OH

    The ODP Corporation | Columbus, OH

    The ODP Corporation - 3826 Morse Road - Responsibilities: Engage with customers to promote the sale of products and services. Maintain store and print depa... more

    4 Days Ago

  • The ODP Corporation

    Columbus, OH

    The ODP Corporation | Columbus, OH

    The ODP Corporation - 1325 Polaris Parkway - Responsibilities: Engage with customers to promote solutions and products. Maintain store and print department... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Store Associate

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Store Associate?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Store Associate roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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