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Retail Sales Executive Salary in the United States

How much does a Retail Sales Executive make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Retail Sales Executive in the United States is $231,585 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $111.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $263,480
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $221,539 to $248,280
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $212,393
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Retail Sales Executive Salaries

A Retail Sales Executive'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 Experience Level Affects Retail Sales Executive Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Retail Sales Executive'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $100,928
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $43,073
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $110,079
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $177,957
  • Expert (over 8 years): $232,282
Levels Salary
Retail St... Level Retail Sales Executive$100,928
Retail St... Level Retail Sales Executive$43,073
Retail St... Level Retail Sales Executive$110,079
Retail St... Level Retail Sales Executive$177,957
Retail Sa... Level Retail Sales Executive$232,282
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How Do Retail Sales Executive 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 Retail Sales Executives. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $256,411.
  • California: $255,438.
  • Massachusetts: $252,034.

Top Paying Cities for Retail Sales Executives

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: $292,098
  • San Francisco: $288,900
  • Oakland: $282,812

Retail Sales Executive Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Retail Sales Executive roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Durable and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Retail Sales Executive positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Retail Sales Executive as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Retail Sales Executive

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Durable$347,378$167.050%
Energy & Utilities$277,902$134.020%
Media$254,744$122.010%

How Education impacts a Retail Sales Executive's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Retail Sales Executives enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Retail Sales Executive with a Bachelor's Degree is between $217,081 and $235,741).

Retail Sales Executive Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Retail Sales Executive
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.7%
High School 22.0%
Associates 11.0%
Bachelors 47.0%
Masters 15.7%
Doctorate 2.5%
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Retail Sales Executive Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Retail Sales Executive'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 September 01, 2026
$221,539
Average $231,585/year
$248,280
$18,462
Average $19,299/month
$20,690
$4,260
Average $4,454/week
$4,775
$107
Average $111/hour
$119
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $248,280 $20,690 $4,775 $119
Average $231,585 $19,299 $4,454 $111
25th Percentile $221,539 $18,462 $4,260 $107

Most common benefits for Retail Sales Executive

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Retail Sales Executive

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

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FAQ about Retail Sales Executive

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Retail Sales Executive?

The MFG Durable industry offers the highest average compensation for Retail Sales Executive roles, with salaries approximately 50% 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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