Find a Job You Really Want In
Retail Salespersons remain one of the most prevalent occupations in America, with job opportunities available across all states. Contrary to popular belief, employment in retail sales isn’t limited to major urban centers like California or the South; it’s a thriving field nationwide.
To help aspiring retail sales professionals find the best opportunities, Zippia has analyzed data to identify the states that offer the most favorable conditions for retail salespersons. Our focus was on job availability and fair compensation across all career stages.
Utilizing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we examined various factors to determine which states offer the best prospects for retail salespersons. The following is a list of the top ten states for retail sales careers in 2026:
South Dakota tops our list as the best state for retail salespersons. Curious about how we arrived at this ranking? Read on to explore our methodology and insights on the top states for retail sales jobs.
How We Determined the Best States for Retail Salespersons
At Zippia, we engage with a diverse range of job seekers and understand that two primary factors drive their job search:
- Job Availability
- Competitive Pay
To identify the best states for retail salespersons, we analyzed where the jobs are plentiful and how competitive the salaries are. Our criteria were based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:
- Location Quotient: Indicates how prevalent a job is in a state.
- Average Annual Salary.
- Average Annual Salary for Entry-Level Positions.
- Average Annual Salary for Experienced Professionals.
To ensure a fair comparison across states, we adjusted salary figures according to the state’s cost of living using MIT’s living wage index. This approach allows us to highlight how salaries impact the quality of life in different regions. For instance, while the average salary for Retail Salespersons in California is $57,315, the salary in Illinois may be lower at $52,304, but it provides a better purchasing power relative to living costs.
We ranked each state based on these criteria from 1 to 50, with 1 being the most favorable. The overall Job Score was calculated by averaging these rankings, with the state achieving the lowest score recognized as the best for retail salespersons in America.
1. South Dakota
Total Jobs: 16,040
Average Annual Salary: $27,800
Average Entry Level Salary: $18,280
Average Experienced Salary: $45,440
Location Quotient: 1.16
2. Idaho
Total Jobs: 23,210
Average Annual Salary: $27,070
Average Entry Level Salary: $16,640
Average Experienced Salary: $43,410
Location Quotient: 1.08
3. Washington
Total Jobs: 105,910
Average Annual Salary: $29,980
Average Entry Level Salary: $20,230
Average Experienced Salary: $44,840
Location Quotient: 1.06
4. North Dakota
Total Jobs: 14,060
Average Annual Salary: $30,740
Average Entry Level Salary: $17,490
Average Experienced Salary: $50,790
Location Quotient: 0.94
5. Montana
Total Jobs: 15,470
Average Annual Salary: $27,130
Average Entry Level Salary: $17,720
Average Experienced Salary: $39,210
Location Quotient: 1.03
6. Mississippi
Total Jobs: 40,990
Average Annual Salary: $25,350
Average Entry Level Salary: $16,430
Average Experienced Salary: $39,380
Location Quotient: 1.11
7. Alabama
Total Jobs: 59,620
Average Annual Salary: $25,990
Average Entry Level Salary: $16,500
Average Experienced Salary: $42,370
Location Quotient: 0.95
8. Oregon
Total Jobs: 63,090
Average Annual Salary: $27,460
Average Entry Level Salary: $19,650
Average Experienced Salary: $39,090
Location Quotient: 1.09
9. Nebraska
Total Jobs: 29,430
Average Annual Salary: $27,240
Average Entry Level Salary: $17,400
Average Experienced Salary: $45,760
Location Quotient: 0.92
10. Arkansas
Total Jobs: 38,980
Average Annual Salary: $24,380
Average Entry Level Salary: $16,460
Average Experienced Salary: $38,370
Location Quotient: 0.99
There You Have It
For those beginning their careers as retail salespersons, these states offer the best opportunities for high pay, abundant job openings, and avenues for career progression.
If you’re interested in the less favorable locations for retail sales careers, consider the following states:
Detailed List Of The Best States For Retail Salespersons
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | $27,800 |
| 2 | Idaho | $27,070 |
| 3 | Washington | $29,980 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $30,740 |
| 5 | Montana | $27,130 |
| 6 | Mississippi | $25,350 |
| 7 | Alabama | $25,990 |
| 8 | Oregon | $27,460 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $27,240 |
| 10 | Arkansas | $24,380 |
| 11 | Texas | $26,710 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $31,020 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $28,070 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $24,360 |
| 15 | Vermont | $28,830 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $25,860 |
| 17 | Ohio | $25,760 |
| 18 | Missouri | $25,590 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $25,750 |
| 20 | Michigan | $25,800 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $25,830 |
| 22 | Utah | $26,000 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $24,150 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $23,560 |
| 25 | Colorado | $28,360 |
| 26 | Indiana | $24,770 |
| 27 | Kansas | $25,790 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $26,350 |
| 29 | Georgia | $24,270 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $25,630 |
| 31 | Florida | $25,140 |
| 32 | Illinois | $26,700 |
| 33 | Alaska | $27,940 |
| 34 | Maine | $25,660 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $24,430 |
| 36 | Delaware | $25,370 |
| 37 | Iowa | $25,850 |
| 38 | Arizona | $24,900 |
| 39 | New Hampshire | $26,310 |
| 40 | Nevada | $25,480 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $25,480 |
| 42 | New York | $27,150 |
| 43 | New Jersey | $26,780 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $24,970 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $26,860 |
| 46 | California | $28,430 |
| 47 | Virginia | $24,400 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | $27,110 |
| 49 | Connecticut | $27,950 |
| 50 | Maryland | $26,220 |
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.
