All About Retail Salespersons
Retail Salesperson Job Description Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
A Day in the Life of a Retail Salesperson
- Rent merchandise to customers.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Place special orders or call other stores to find desired items.
- Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.
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Retail Salesperson Required Skills
These are the skills Retail Salespersons say are the most useful in their careers:
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Retail Sales Representative
- Sales Associate
- Automotive Salesperson
- Pet Supplies Salesperson
- Sales Support Associate
Job Outlook for Retail Salespersons
There were about 4,602,500 jobs for Retail Salesperson in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 1.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Retail Salesperson by 2026. There will be an estimated 670,300 positions for Retail Salesperson per year.
The states with the most job growth for Retail Salesperson are Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Retail Salesperson Make?
The salary for Retail Salespersons ranges between about $18,400 and $41,530 a year.
Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Retail Salespersons in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $26,770 |
| Alaska | $30,060 |
| Arizona | $27,050 |
| Arkansas | $25,610 |
| California | $31,460 |
| Colorado | $30,860 |
| Connecticut | $32,910 |
| Delaware | $26,330 |
| District of Columbia | $37,510 |
| Florida | $26,790 |
| Georgia | $25,510 |
| Hawaii | $30,530 |
| Idaho | $27,710 |
| Illinois | $28,710 |
| Indiana | $26,040 |
| Iowa | $26,870 |
| Kansas | $27,390 |
| Kentucky | $25,700 |
| Louisiana | $25,420 |
| Maine | $28,310 |
| Maryland | $27,740 |
| Massachusetts | $30,290 |
| Michigan | $27,440 |
| Minnesota | $29,190 |
| Mississippi | $25,780 |
| Missouri | $28,030 |
| Montana | $28,500 |
| Nebraska | $27,380 |
| Nevada | $28,180 |
| New Hampshire | $28,610 |
| New Jersey | $29,180 |
| New Mexico | $27,060 |
| New York | $30,100 |
| North Carolina | $26,190 |
| North Dakota | $32,830 |
| Ohio | $28,260 |
| Oklahoma | $27,940 |
| Oregon | $30,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,350 |
| Rhode Island | $31,630 |
| South Carolina | $26,420 |
| South Dakota | $29,450 |
| Tennessee | $27,790 |
| Texas | $26,840 |
| Utah | $27,570 |
| Vermont | $30,930 |
| Virginia | $27,310 |
| Washington | $34,500 |
| West Virginia | $25,400 |
| Wisconsin | $26,540 |
| Wyoming | $28,280 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Retail Salespersons
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Retail Salespersons may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Intuit QuickBooks
How do I Become a Retail Salesperson?
What kind of Retail Salesperson requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Retail Salespersons Are Employed
Retail Salespersons work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Retail Salesperson in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
- Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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