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Job outlook for retail representatives in the United States
Retail representative job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected retail representative job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for retail representatives are projected over the next decade.
Retail representative salaries have increased 19% for retail representatives in the last 5 years.
There are over 5,710 retail representatives currently employed in the United States.
There are 402,132 active retail representative job openings in the US.
The average retail representative salary is $31,790.
Are retail representative jobs in demand?
Retail representative job and salary trends over time
Retail representative jobs over time
Retail representative job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,710 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 5,658 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,675 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,877 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,867 | 0.00% |
Average retail representative salary over time
Retail representative salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,790 | $15.28 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | $29,642 | $14.25 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $28,409 | $13.66 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $27,247 | $13.10 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $26,625 | $12.80 | +4.1% |
Retail representative jobs by state
Most common states for retail representatives
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 288 | 21% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 126 | 20% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,143 | 17% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 527 | 17% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 96 | 17% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 118 | 16% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 985 | 15% |
| 8 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 857 | 15% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 818 | 15% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 659 | 15% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 619 | 15% |
| 12 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,370 | 14% |
| 13 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 189 | 14% |
| 14 | Delaware | 961,939 | 136 | 14% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,497 | 13% |
| 16 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,313 | 13% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 843 | 13% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 217 | 13% |
| 19 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 138 | 13% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 237 | 12% |
Most common cities for retail representatives
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Fernando | 2 | 8% | $34,775 |
| 2 | Baldwin Park | 2 | 3% | $34,631 |
| 3 | Bellevue | 3 | 2% | $41,271 |
| 4 | Kent | 3 | 2% | $41,219 |
| 5 | Concord | 2 | 2% | $36,779 |
| 6 | Renton | 2 | 2% | $41,246 |
| 7 | Oakland | 4 | 1% | $36,748 |
| 8 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $36,870 |
| 9 | Anaheim | 2 | 1% | $34,536 |
| 10 | Fremont | 2 | 1% | $36,622 |
| 11 | Hayward | 2 | 1% | $36,691 |
| 12 | Santa Clarita | 2 | 1% | $34,830 |
| 13 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $34,675 |
| 14 | San Diego | 3 | 0% | $34,164 |
| 15 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $36,789 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 2 | 0% | $25,532 |
| 17 | San Jose | 2 | 0% | $36,527 |
| 18 | Seattle | 2 | 0% | $41,300 |
Retail Representative job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of retail representative experts
University of Northwestern Ohio
Valparaiso University
Nazareth College of Rochester
University of Mount Union
Franklin and Marshall College
California State University Channel Islands
What will help Retail Representatives increase their earning potential?
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: There is a lot of advice I would share with a new graduate. This includes the following:
Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. Every situation you find yourself in will provide learning opportunities.
Although it's important to learn when to say no, be very careful when turning down an opportunity. You never know what doors will open when you say yes to something.
Find and develop a unique skill set or ability to set yourself apart in the office.
Always behave in a professional manner and maintain good relationships with other engineers you work with or have encountered (even when switching jobs for any reason)
What general advice would you give to a Retail Representative?
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: There are some things you can do to help maximize your salary potential. Some of
these require more effort than others, but include:
Have professional-appearing resumes, cover letters, references, and other
requested documents that showcase your qualifications for each specific position
that you apply. The sooner you can convey your qualifications and make the
connection between your qualifications and a specific position’s needs, the better
positioned you are when you start the selection and salary offering/negotiation
process
Seek out external sources (such as salary guides) to get an understanding of the
salary ranges for the type of positions you are applying to have a comparison
point. Many salary guides can be adjusted for location to help account for
changes in cost of living
Examine job postings for similar positions from other organizations in the same
general area to get an idea of the salary and other benefits that are being offered
to have for comparison purposes
Review and/or inquire about how the current opening you may be applying for
typically progresses into other opportunities for growth and the timeline for that
growth. This could help in balancing an immediate salary offering for a first
position with what should be expected to be received after a 1-2 year period to
get more of a yearly average. The faster the opportunity for advancement, the
more impact this could have on maximizing overall salary potential
What will help Retail Representatives increase their earning potential?
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: I encourage graduates to connect with professionals in their field through LinkedIn, networking events, and/or alumni connections at their schools. Graduates can initiate conversations and schedule coffee or Zoom meetings to learn about roles in their industry of choice. Engaging with professionals currently working in graduates’ industry of choice will provide invaluable insight into essential skills, refine their career interests, and expand their network. The opportunity to hear real-life experiences shared by professionals is irreplaceable for graduates beginning their careers.
Jon-Paul McCool
Associate Professor of Geography; Environmental Science Program CoordinatorValparaiso University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
What general advice would you give to a Retail Representative?
Jon-Paul McCool: In terms of technical skills, the ability to utilize GIS for more than basic mapping. The ability to do more in depth analytical processes and to utilize the mobile components to the software. However, employers are stressing the need for new employees to have drive and individual initiative. Soft skills associated with independence, and the ability to learn on your own are going to be essential.
What Retail Representative skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jon-Paul McCool: It is important to remember that the only person who can push your career forward is you. You have to go to places and events to get exposure to opportunities and you have to be willing to potentially move and learn new things. You really have to want to move forward with your career and you have to take a vested interest in it by pursuing additional learning opportunities such as workshops, joining professional organizations and attending meetings, volunteering, etc. A degree alone only distinguishes you from those who didn't graduate. How are you going to stand out compared to the thousands of others graduating across the country with the same major?
What will help Retail Representatives increase their earning potential?
Jon-Paul McCool: Utilize your time as an undergraduate student to set yourself apart. Do some kind of research project that can show your ability to do more than only the assigned work in classes. Utilize your summers to gain additional experience by working relevant jobs and internships. To all extents possible, do not limit yourself spatially. Be willing to travel to far flung locations, at least for a few years, to gain relevant experience after graduating rather than being tied to one specific location or region. You are far more employable with a couple years experience rather than straight out of school.
Timothy Kneeland
Professor and Chair History, Politics, and LawNazareth College of Rochester
History
What will help Retail Representatives increase their earning potential?
Timothy Kneeland: Your resume should be as thorough as possible so that you can advocate for the highest salary in your range. Be sure to weed out things on your resume that do not fit the job you are seeking. Once you are hired, make yourself indispensable, and prepare for your biannual or annual review by preparing a list of accomplishments. Sometimes your supervisors are distracted and do not know about all your efforts. You need to remind them in a friendly and professional manner.
Michael Grossman Ph.D.
Professor, Political Studies and International StudiesUniversity of Mount Union
Department of Political Science and International Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Retail Representatives?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It is less about licenses or courses and more about experiences. In this regard, internships are crucial.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Retail Representatives?
Cynthia Krom: Professional certifications matter. If your profession has a certification, you need to have that certification to be competitive in this new world. So, a public accountant needs to have a CPA, and a corporate accountant needs to have their CMA. A fraud examiner needs their CFE. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game, because everyone else will.
We don't really know what will be happening with professional licenses with remote work. A psychotherapist may be licensed in New York, but remotely treating a client in New Mexico. Technically, they probably need a license in New Mexico. But who will control that? Will it just be the professional responsibility of the therapist to only practice where licensed? Will their malpractice insurance only cover them if the client is where they are licensed? What about a physician operating on someone a thousand miles away using robotics?
In terms of courses not related to professional certification or licensure, technology is where it is at. First and foremost, polish your Zoom skills. Zoom is now your face-to-face workplace and you need to be a pro. YouTube has great videos about lighting for Zoom, even with reflective eyeglasses. Perhaps your IT department is able to help with connectivity issues and learning remote technologies. And, as we have all recently seen, you need to learn how to turn off filters that make you look like a kitten! For nearly every field, you have to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive. If you are not fluent in the basics, you are showing up for a horse race with a little pony.
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of MarketingCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics
What's a good job out of college for Retail Representatives?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: I think a description of a "good" job opportunity is dependent on so many factors, almost all subjective. What I recommend my students usually, is that they try different things before graduation and find something that makes them feel a purpose other than (and in addition to) making ends meet. For this reason we started a program on our campus where students are hired to help non-profits and small businesses in our area of service. In this program, students get to gain and practice skills that can help them succeed in a corporate or freelance capacity. The students get to experiment without fear of losing a job and find what they would like their entry level positions to look like. While doing this they also help organizations and individuals who have the need but not the resources to get the services from professionals.