Associate Retail Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Retail make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Retail in the United States is $39,397 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,908
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,787 to $42,281
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,501
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View as table View as graph 25% $35,787 10% $32,501 90% $44,908 75% $42,281 $39,397 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Associate Retail Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $42,281 $3,523 $813 $20
Average $39,397 $3,283 $758 $19
25th Percentile $35,787 $2,982 $688 $17
Check out Associate Retail Job Openings in the United States
Retail Associate

Story Cannabis - Columbus, OH

Retail Associate

Ross Stores - Columbus, OH

Retail Associate - Easton Town Center

Aritzia LP - Columbus, OH

Retail Sales Associate

tarte cosmetics - Columbus, OH

Search More Associate Retail Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Associate Retail Salaries

An Associate Retail'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 Associate Retails

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: $49,691
  • San Francisco: $49,147
  • Oakland: $48,111

What Skills Can Increase an Associate Retail'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 an Associate Retail'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
$58,307
48%
Outside Sales
$49,640
26%
Sales Training
$47,276
20%
Sales Presentation
$45,700
16%
Time Management
$42,154
7%
Problem Solving
$42,154
7%
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Associate Retail Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Retail 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, Associate Retail positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Retail as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Retail

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$47,276$23.020%
MFG Durable$45,306$22.015%
Healthcare$43,336$21.010%

How Education impacts an Associate Retail's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Retails 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 an Associate Retail with a No Diploma is between $29,454 and $31,363).

Associate Retail Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Retail
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%
view as graph

Associate Retail Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Retail'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 Associate Retail

Salaries for an Associate Retail can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $40,384 in 2023 to around $39,879 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Associate Retail salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Associate Retail Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$40,384
2024
$40,119
2025
$39,879
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $40,384
2024 $40,119
2025 $39,879
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Associate Retail

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

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

Find Your Next Associate Retail Job

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

United States
  • Floor & Decor Holdings

    Columbus, OH

    Floor & Decor Holdings | Columbus, OH

    Sales Associate. Base Pay. This role has a minimum base pay from $15.00 per hour with higher starting pay available based on experience. Purpose. Floor & D... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Vuori, Inc

    Columbus, OH

    Vuori, Inc | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Vuori is re-defining what athletic apparel looks like: built to move and sweat in but designed with ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Dick's Sporting Goods

    Columbus, OH

    Dick's Sporting Goods | Columbus, OH

    House of Sport By Dick's Sporting Goods. House of Sport by DICK'S Sporting Goods is more than just a store. It is a destination, an experience, a place whe... more

    7 Days Ago

  • SECOND CHANCE CONSIGNMENT

    Columbus, OH

    SECOND CHANCE CONSIGNMENT | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Second Chance in Columbus, OH is looking for retail salespeople to join our 18 person strong team. We are a fast paced, p... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Ikea us

    Columbus, OH

    Ikea us | Columbus, OH

    You care about making a positive impact in the world.You understand greatness requires thinking differently.An inclusive and accepting work environment is ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • TJ Maxx

    Columbus, OH

    TJ Maxx | Columbus, OH

    TJ Maxx At TJX Companies, every day brings new opportunities for growth, exploration, and achievement.You'll be part of our vibrant team that embraces dive... more

    9 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Retail

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Retail 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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