Selling Sales Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Selling Sales Associate make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Selling Sales Associate in the United States is $40,138 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,727
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,447 to $43,064
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,087
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,447 10% $33,087 90% $45,727 75% $43,064 $40,138 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Selling Sales Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $43,064 $3,589 $828 $21
Average $40,138 $3,345 $772 $19
25th Percentile $36,447 $3,037 $701 $18
Check out Selling Sales Associate Job Openings in the United States
Sales Associate

TJX Companies - Gahanna, OH

Retail Sales Associate

TJX Companies - Riverlea, OH

Retail Sales Associate

TJX Companies - Lake Slagle, OH

Retail Sales Associate

TJX Companies - New Philadelphia, OH

Search More Selling Sales Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Selling Sales Associate Salaries

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

How Do Selling Sales Associate Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Selling Sales Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $44,440.
  • California: $44,272.
  • Massachusetts: $43,682.

Top Paying Cities for Selling Sales 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: $50,625
  • San Francisco: $50,071
  • Oakland: $49,016

What Skills Can Increase a Selling Sales 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 Selling Sales 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
$59,404
48%
Outside Sales
$50,573
26%
Sales Training
$48,165
20%
Sales Presentation
$46,560
16%
Time Management
$42,947
7%
Problem Solving
$42,947
7%
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Selling Sales Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Selling Sales Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$48,165$23.020%
MFG Durable$46,158$22.015%
Healthcare$44,151$21.010%

How Education impacts a Selling Sales Associate's Salary?

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

Selling Sales Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Selling Sales 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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Selling Sales Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Selling 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.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Selling Sales Associate

Salaries for a Selling Sales Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $41,147 in 2023 to around $40,633 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Selling Sales Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Selling Sales Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$41,147
2024
$40,877
2025
$40,633
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $41,147
2024 $40,877
2025 $40,633
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Selling Sales Associate

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

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

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

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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.)

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