Sporting Goods Associate Salary in the United States

How much does a Sporting Goods Associate make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sporting Goods Associate in the United States is $39,819 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,379
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,166 to $42,729
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,840
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,166 10% $32,840 90% $45,379 75% $42,729 $39,819 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Sporting Goods Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $42,729 $3,561 $822 $21
Average $39,819 $3,318 $766 $19
25th Percentile $36,166 $3,014 $696 $17
Check out Sporting Goods Associate Job Openings in the United States
Retail Sales Associate Apparel

Dick's Sporting Goods - Canton, OH

Retail Cashier

Dick's Sporting Goods - Canton, OH

Associate

Dick's Sporting Goods - Strongsville, OH

Assistant Store Manager Operations

Dick's Sporting Goods - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Sporting Goods Associate Salaries

A Sporting Goods 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 Sporting Goods 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 Sporting Goods Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $44,088.
  • California: $43,920.
  • Massachusetts: $43,335.

Top Paying Cities for Sporting Goods 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: $50,224
  • San Francisco: $49,674
  • Oakland: $48,627

What Skills Can Increase a Sporting Goods 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 Sporting Goods 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
$58,932
48%
Outside Sales
$50,172
26%
Sales Training
$47,783
20%
Sales Presentation
$46,190
16%
Time Management
$42,606
7%
Problem Solving
$42,606
7%
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How Education impacts a Sporting Goods Associate's Salary?

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

Sporting Goods Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Sporting Goods 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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Sporting Goods Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Sporting Goods 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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Sporting Goods Associate

Salaries for a Sporting Goods Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $40,826 in 2023 to around $40,316 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Sporting Goods Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Sporting Goods Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$40,826
2024
$40,558
2025
$40,316
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $40,826
2024 $40,558
2025 $40,316
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Sporting Goods Associate

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

Here are companies hiring for Sporting Goods 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 Sporting Goods 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.)

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

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