Retail Sales Agent Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Retail Sales Agent in the United States is $39,773 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,312
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,116 to $42,672
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,787
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View as table View as graph 25% $36,116 10% $32,787 90% $45,312 75% $42,672 $39,773 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Retail Sales Agent Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $42,672 $3,556 $821 $21
Average $39,773 $3,314 $765 $19
25th Percentile $36,116 $3,010 $695 $17

Key Factors That Influence Retail Sales Agent Salaries

A Retail Sales Agent'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 Retail Sales Agent 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 Agents. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $44,037.
  • California: $43,870.
  • Massachusetts: $43,285.

Top Paying Cities for Retail Sales Agents

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: $50,166
  • San Francisco: $49,616
  • Oakland: $48,571

What Skills Can Increase a Retail Sales Agent'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 Retail Sales Agent'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
$58,864
48%
Outside Sales
$50,114
26%
Sales Training
$47,728
20%
Sales Presentation
$46,137
16%
Time Management
$42,557
7%
Problem Solving
$42,557
7%
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Retail Sales Agent Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Retail Sales Agent

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$47,728$23.020%
MFG Durable$45,739$22.015%
Healthcare$43,750$21.010%

How Education impacts a Retail Sales Agent's Salary?

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

Retail Sales Agent Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Retail Sales Agent
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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Retail Sales Agent Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Retail Sales Agent'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 Retail Sales Agent

Salaries for a Retail Sales Agent can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $40,774 in 2023 to around $40,264 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Retail Sales Agent salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Retail Sales Agent Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$40,774
2024
$40,506
2025
$40,264
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $40,774
2024 $40,506
2025 $40,264
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Retail Sales Agent

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

Here are companies hiring for Retail Sales Agent 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 Retail Sales Agent job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Retail Sales Agent

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

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