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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Retail Specialist in Illinois is $40,818 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.
However, a Retail Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Retail Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $43,691 | $3,641 | $840 | $21 |
| Average | $40,818 | $3,401 | $785 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,611 | $3,051 | $704 | $18 |
Empire Marketing Strategies - Chicago, IL
Sydenstricker Nobbe Partners - Steeleville, IL
DSI - Mettawa, IL
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS INC - Geneva, IL
A Retail Specialist'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Retail Specialist 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, Retail Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Retail Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $48,981 | $24.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $46,940 | $23.0 | 15% |
| Healthcare | $44,899 | $22.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Retail Specialist'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $43,691 | $3,641 | $840 | $21 |
| Average | $40,818 | $3,401 | $785 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,611 | $3,051 | $704 | $18 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Retail Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
American International Group
Chicago, IL
American International Group | Chicago, IL
Underwriting Specialist, Retail PropertyJoin us as an Underwriting Specialist, Retail Property to step up to a key team role that will drive business growt... more
9 Days Ago
Ross Stores, Inc.
Round Lake, IL
Ross Stores, Inc. | Round Lake, IL
Join our team where people are our priority. Bring your talents to Ross, a premier off-price retail chain boasting over 2,200 stores and a remarkable histo... more
9 Days Ago
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS INC
Fairview Heights, IL
DICK'S SPORTING GOODS INC | Fairview Heights, IL
Dick's Sporting Goods - - Responsibilities:Greet customers and proactively assist with their shopping needs. Provide register coverage and support cashiers... more
9 Days Ago
DSI
Bloomingdale, IL
DSI | Bloomingdale, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Join Our Team. At DSI, we have over 40 years of sales enablement and customized business solution experience, providing e... more
9 Days Ago
O'Reilly Automotive
Springfield, IL
O'Reilly Automotive | Springfield, IL
Retail Service Specialist. Compensation Pay Range: $15.00 - $20.00. The actual hourly rate will equal or exceed the required minimum wage applicable to the... more
10 Days Ago
Dick's Sporting Goods
Joliet, IL
Dick's Sporting Goods | Joliet, IL
Dick's Sporting Goods - JobID: 202602911 [Retail Associate / Team Member] As a Customer Service Specialist at Dick's Sporting Goods, you'll: Create a world... more
10 Days Ago
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