Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of sales associates that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of sales associates:
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Model/Sales Associate is the highest-paid type of sales associate with an average salary of $81,755 and an average hourly rate of $39.31.
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The second highest-paying type of sales associate is furniture sales associate, with an average salary of $49,717.
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The average sales associate salary is $32,167 per year, and the average hourly pay is $15.46.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a sales associate, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of sales associates are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of sales associates:
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Model/Sales Associate
Average Salary: $81,755
A Model/Sales Associate will be responsible for all sales duties someone who sells retail products such as clothes, equipment, and cars. As a Sales Associate, you will increase sales through proactive communication and maintaining a positive relationship with clients. They are responsible for welcoming and greeting customers, assessing their needs, and providing information about the product features. Other duties include cross-selling products, handling product returns, and complying with standard inventory management and control procedures.
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Furniture Sales Associate
Average Salary: $49,717
A furniture sales associate is, basically, responsible for selling furniture. They have to keep their sales pitch polished, because they are required to make customers buy products, even if they are unwilling. Selling is not their only responsibility, however. They also do the job of an advertiser to promote the products of the business and attract new customers. Good communication and interpersonal skills will be a strong asset in this role, since it involves face-to-face or phone communication with potential customers.
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Hardware Sales Associate
Average Salary: $37,604
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Customer Sales Associate
Average Salary: $37,024
A customer sales associate specializes in handling and communicating with customers to secure sales in a retail store. Their primary responsibilities revolve around greeting clients, responding to inquiries, providing assistance, and even offering suggestions when necessary. Aside from ensuring customer satisfaction, it is also their responsibility to maintain the cleanliness and order on the sales floor by re-stocking shelves and arranging them to look presentable. Furthermore, a customer sales associate must coordinate with other sales floor members and report to a manager or supervisor.
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Commissioned Sales Associate
Average Salary: $36,949
Commissioned sales associates are professionals who conduct sale transactions that can generate additional compensation by increasing selling operations. These associates are must collaborate successfully with fellow associates in regard to sales and commission distribution. They must provide excellent customer service so that they can establish long term relationships with customers and ensure high satisfaction. Commissioned sales associates must also assist the department managers with visual merchandising to arrange racks so that they can place and stock new merchandise.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various sales associate that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Sales Associates
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for sales associates.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Sales Associate Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid sales associate job?
The highest-paid sales associate job is a model/sales associate. Model/Sales Associates earn an average salary of $81,755, which is $ 39.31 hourly.
A Model/Sales Associate will be responsible for all sales duties someone who sells retail products such as clothes, equipment, and cars. As a Sales Associate, you will increase sales through proactive communication and maintaining a positive relationship with clients. They are responsible for welcoming and greeting customers, assessing their needs, and providing information about the product features. Other duties include cross-selling products, handling product returns, and complying with standard inventory management and control procedures.
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What is a good salary for a sales associate?
A good salary for a sales associate is $32,167 or more. The average sales associate salary is $32,167, so those making at least $32,167 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average sales associate salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a sales associate, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $32,167 average, as this includes all sales associates of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Sales Associate jobs pay well?
No, sales associate jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some sales associate jobs pay better than others, but the average sales associate salary of $32,167 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many sales associate jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of sales associates earning $0 a year on average.
Sales Associates’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a sales associate. Do your research on the going rate for a sales associate in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do sales associates get paid the most?
Sales Associates get paid the most in New York. In New York, sales associates earn an average annual salary of $40,312 and an average hourly wage of $19.38.
Following NY, the states with the highest-paid sales associates are North Dakota, Michigan, and Rhode Island, with average annual salaries of $36,248, $32,120, and $35,628 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid sales associate salaries are:
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New York, NY – $40,393
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San Francisco, CA – $35,883
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Seattle, WA – $35,618
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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.
