What You Need to Know About Retail Salesperson
Retail Salesperson Definition Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Retail Salesperson Responsibilities
- Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
- Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
- Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
- Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
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Things a Retail Salesperson Should Know How to Do
When polled, Retail Salespersons say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Retail Salesperson Jobs
- Sheet Music Salesperson
- Jewelry Salesperson
- Store Associate
- Shoe Salesperson
- Automobile Salesman
Retail Salesperson Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 4,602,500 jobs in the United States for Retail Salesperson. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 670,300 job openings in this field each 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.
Retail Salesperson Salary
Retail Salespersons make between $18,400 and $41,530 a year.

Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Retail Salespersons make in each U.S. state?
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
Becoming a Retail Salesperson
Learn what Retail Salesperson education requirements there are.

What work experience do I need to become a Retail Salesperson?

Who Employs Retail Salespersons?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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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