Research Summary. Comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team reveals the following details about store associate salaries across the United States in 2026:
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New York offers the highest average salary for store associates at $36,497.
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New Mexico has the lowest average salary for store associates at $25,461.
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The national average salary for store associates stands at $32,543.
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National hourly pay for store associates is approximately $15.50.
For more details, refer to our specific methodology.
Background
In today’s job market, salary remains a top priority for many job seekers. Understanding the compensation for store associates in your area is vital for making informed career decisions.
While local variations exist, average salary data provides a solid foundation for expectations regarding compensation. The state with the highest salary for store associates in 2026 is New York.
Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for store associate salaries:
Let’s explore how these rankings were determined, along with a complete overview of all state salaries.
Highest-Paid Store Associates By State
| Rank | State | Average Store Associate Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $36,497 | $31,000 | $43,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $35,609 | $29,000 | $42,000 |
| 3 | Vermont | $35,472 | $31,000 | $40,000 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $35,469 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| 5 | Maine | $35,231 | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $34,196 | $29,000 | $39,000 |
| 7 | California | $34,159 | $27,000 | $42,000 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $34,057 | $28,000 | $40,000 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $33,998 | $29,000 | $39,000 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $33,853 | $28,000 | $39,000 |
| 11 | Oregon | $33,739 | $27,000 | $40,000 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $33,426 | $29,000 | $38,000 |
| 13 | Illinois | $32,693 | $27,000 | $39,000 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $32,607 | $29,000 | $36,000 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $32,365 | $27,000 | $37,000 |
| 16 | Colorado | $32,318 | $25,000 | $39,000 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $31,798 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 18 | Maryland | $31,460 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $31,249 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 20 | Delaware | $31,148 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 21 | Arizona | $31,131 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $30,826 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 23 | Michigan | $30,716 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $30,700 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 25 | Iowa | $30,596 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 26 | Indiana | $30,428 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 27 | Ohio | $30,315 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 28 | Missouri | $29,971 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 29 | Kansas | $29,546 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 30 | Virginia | $29,168 | $23,000 | $34,000 |
| 31 | Utah | $29,078 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 32 | Florida | $29,051 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 33 | Montana | $28,851 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $28,677 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $28,493 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 36 | Nevada | $28,371 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $28,360 | $22,000 | $33,000 |
| 38 | Idaho | $28,254 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $28,238 | $22,000 | $33,000 |
| 40 | West Virginia | $28,173 | $22,000 | $33,000 |
| 41 | Texas | $28,170 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $28,095 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $27,801 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 44 | Georgia | $27,605 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 45 | Wyoming | $27,308 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $27,266 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 47 | Alabama | $27,085 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $27,010 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 49 | Alaska | $26,432 | $22,000 | $30,000 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $25,461 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
Methodology: Store Associate Salary By State
To accurately assess store associate salaries by state, Zippia compiled data from various sources including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, supplemented by actual salary listings from job postings. This data was analyzed to calculate a weighted average for each state, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of store associate compensation.
Store Associate Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for store associates?
The highest-paid state for store associates is New York with an average salary of $36,497 per year.
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What city pays store associates the most?
New York, NY pays store associates the most, with an average salary of $36,461 per year.
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What is the worst state for store associates?
The state with the lowest average salary for store associates is New Mexico, with an average salary of $25,461 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.
