Research Summary. Comprehensive research conducted by the Zippia data science team has revealed the average salary details for sales associates and cashiers across various states in the United States in 2026:
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Washington offers the highest average salary for sales associates and cashiers at $36,257
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Mississippi presents the lowest salary for sales associates and cashiers, averaging $20,020
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The national average salary for sales associates and cashiers is $26,139
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The national hourly pay for sales associates and cashiers stands at $12.57
For more details, check out the specific methodology.
Background
In 2026, the primary concern for job seekers remains the salary—how much can you expect to earn as a sales associate or cashier in your area? While individual earnings can vary based on experience, location, and the specific employer, current data provides a clear picture of average salaries for these positions across the United States, segmented by state and seniority level. Even with local variations, these averages serve as a reliable guide for salary expectations.
As of now, Washington boasts the highest salary for sales associates and cashiers.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for sales associate and cashier salaries:
Let’s explore how these figures were determined and see a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Sales Associates And Cashiers By State
| Rank | State | Average Sales Associate And Cashier Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $36,257 | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| 2 | California | $34,624 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| 3 | Oregon | $33,194 | $25,000 | $43,000 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $32,445 | $23,000 | $44,000 |
| 5 | Vermont | $31,543 | $23,000 | $41,000 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $31,184 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 7 | Maine | $31,152 | $23,000 | $40,000 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $30,161 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 9 | New York | $30,035 | $21,000 | $41,000 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $29,875 | $26,000 | $33,000 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $29,768 | $21,000 | $41,000 |
| 12 | Alaska | $29,712 | $26,000 | $33,000 |
| 13 | Illinois | $29,586 | $21,000 | $40,000 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $29,567 | $22,000 | $39,000 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $28,610 | $20,000 | $39,000 |
| 16 | Colorado | $28,553 | $20,000 | $38,000 |
| 17 | Montana | $28,287 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 18 | Idaho | $27,873 | $21,000 | $36,000 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $27,562 | $19,000 | $38,000 |
| 20 | Arizona | $27,476 | $20,000 | $37,000 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $27,043 | $20,000 | $36,000 |
| 22 | Utah | $26,563 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 23 | Nevada | $26,528 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 24 | Michigan | $26,296 | $19,000 | $36,000 |
| 25 | Maryland | $26,165 | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| 26 | Iowa | $26,014 | $19,000 | $35,000 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $25,938 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 28 | Delaware | $25,665 | $18,000 | $36,000 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $25,629 | $19,000 | $33,000 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $25,571 | $18,000 | $34,000 |
| 31 | Arkansas | $25,197 | $17,000 | $35,000 |
| 32 | Ohio | $24,947 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | $24,930 | $17,000 | $35,000 |
| 34 | Missouri | $24,655 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 35 | Indiana | $24,559 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $24,037 | $17,000 | $33,000 |
| 37 | Kansas | $23,995 | $17,000 | $33,000 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $23,632 | $16,000 | $33,000 |
| 39 | Florida | $23,613 | $17,000 | $31,000 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $23,569 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 41 | Virginia | $23,568 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 42 | Texas | $23,370 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $22,995 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $22,828 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 45 | Georgia | $22,674 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $22,327 | $16,000 | $30,000 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $21,874 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 48 | Alabama | $20,905 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $20,077 | $14,000 | $27,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $20,020 | $14,000 | $27,000 |
Methodology: Sales Associate And Cashier Salary By State
To accurately assess sales associate and cashier compensation across the United States, Zippia has compiled data from various reliable sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). This data is further enriched with real-time salary listings from job postings. The resulting figures are a weighted average, providing a comprehensive overview of salaries for sales associates and cashiers by state.
Sales Associate And Cashier Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for sales associates and cashiers?
The highest-paid state for sales associates and cashiers is Washington, with an average salary of $36,257 per year.
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What city pays sales associates and cashiers the most?
Bristol, CT offers the highest salary for sales associates and cashiers, averaging $30,084 per year.
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What is the lowest-paying state for sales associates and cashiers?
The lowest-paying state for sales associates and cashiers is Mississippi, with an average salary of $20,020 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.
