Research Summary. Through comprehensive research conducted by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled updated insights on sales associate salaries across the United States as of 2026:
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New York continues to lead with the highest sales associate salary at $40,312.
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Mississippi remains at the bottom with the lowest sales associate salary of $26,999.
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The current national average salary for sales associates is $32,167.
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The national hourly rate for sales associates is $15.46.
For further details, please see the specific methodology.
Background
In numerous studies, salary consistently ranks as the most crucial factor for job seekers, including sales associates. With the evolving job landscape, particularly post-pandemic, understanding local salary expectations is more important than ever.
While your specific earnings may vary based on location and experience, we provide comprehensive data on average salaries for sales associates by state, reflecting seniority levels and market trends. New York, unsurprisingly, tops the list for the best salaries.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for sales associate salaries:
Let’s examine the complete ranking of all the states and understand the context behind these salary figures.
Highest-Paid Sales Associates By State
| Rank | State | Average Sales Associate Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $40,312 | $27,000 | $58,000 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $36,248 | $26,000 | $49,000 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $35,628 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 4 | Washington | $35,415 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 5 | California | $35,346 | $23,000 | $53,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $35,076 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 7 | Vermont | $33,795 | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $33,720 | $23,000 | $48,000 |
| 9 | Oregon | $33,407 | $23,000 | $48,000 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $33,070 | $22,000 | $48,000 |
| 11 | Alaska | $33,019 | $24,000 | $44,000 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $32,862 | $23,000 | $46,000 |
| 13 | Maine | $32,656 | $24,000 | $43,000 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $32,395 | $22,000 | $46,000 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $32,260 | $23,000 | $43,000 |
| 16 | Michigan | $32,120 | $22,000 | $46,000 |
| 17 | Maryland | $32,023 | $21,000 | $47,000 |
| 18 | Illinois | $32,001 | $22,000 | $46,000 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $31,824 | $22,000 | $45,000 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $31,729 | $22,000 | $45,000 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $31,673 | $21,000 | $46,000 |
| 22 | Delaware | $31,520 | $21,000 | $46,000 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $31,506 | $22,000 | $44,000 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $31,389 | $23,000 | $42,000 |
| 25 | Virginia | $31,378 | $21,000 | $46,000 |
| 26 | Colorado | $31,003 | $21,000 | $44,000 |
| 27 | Arizona | $30,902 | $20,000 | $46,000 |
| 28 | Indiana | $30,557 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 29 | Ohio | $30,523 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 30 | Iowa | $30,484 | $21,000 | $43,000 |
| 31 | Montana | $30,404 | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| 32 | Kansas | $30,296 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 33 | Missouri | $29,928 | $20,000 | $43,000 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $29,881 | $20,000 | $44,000 |
| 35 | West Virginia | $29,810 | $20,000 | $43,000 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $29,657 | $19,000 | $44,000 |
| 37 | Texas | $29,192 | $19,000 | $43,000 |
| 38 | Idaho | $29,103 | $20,000 | $41,000 |
| 39 | Nevada | $28,787 | $19,000 | $42,000 |
| 40 | Utah | $28,693 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $28,511 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 42 | Florida | $28,461 | $18,000 | $42,000 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $28,428 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $28,377 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $28,043 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 46 | Alabama | $27,939 | $18,000 | $41,000 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $27,680 | $18,000 | $41,000 |
| 48 | Georgia | $27,586 | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $27,409 | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $26,999 | $18,000 | $40,000 |
Methodology: Sales Associate Salary By State
To accurately assess sales associate compensation across states, Zippia combines data from various sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and current job postings. Our data science team calculates a weighted average to determine the average pay for sales associates in each state.
We ranked each state based on its average annual salary for sales associates, with the highest salary earning the top position.
Sales Associate Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for sales associates?
The highest-paid state for sales associates is New York, with an average annual salary of $40,312.
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What city pays sales associates the most?
New York, NY, offers the highest pay for sales associates, averaging $40,393 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for sales associates?
The lowest-paying state for sales associates is Mississippi, with an average salary of $26,999 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
