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The average salary for a Retail Sales Specialist in the United States is approximately $45,756 per year, translating to around $22 per hour. This compensation can fluctuate based on factors such as experience, location, and the industry. For instance, specialists with several years of experience typically earn more than their entry-level counterparts.
Regions with higher living costs or significant retail markets often offer higher salaries. States such as California and New York consistently rank among the highest paying for this role. Additionally, metropolitan areas like New York City and Los Angeles are known for competitive pay, reflecting the demand for skilled sales professionals.
As a Retail Sales Specialist, there are various paths for advancement. Opportunities may lead to management roles or specialized positions within retail operations, often accompanied by salary increases. Continuous learning and skill development can further enhance earning potential.
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The average retail sales specialist salary in Hawaii, Washington, and Oregon are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average retail sales specialist salary states are Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $49,205 | $23.66 |
| 2 | Tennessee | $46,993 | $22.59 |
| 3 | Idaho | $50,051 | $24.06 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $48,507 | $23.32 |
| 5 | Oregon | $51,757 | $24.88 |
| 6 | Montana | $50,528 | $24.29 |
| 7 | Alabama | $46,125 | $22.18 |
| 8 | South Dakota | $50,503 | $24.28 |
| 9 | Washington | $53,066 | $25.51 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $49,949 | $24.01 |
| 11 | Vermont | $49,773 | $23.93 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $47,313 | $22.75 |
| 13 | New York | $51,221 | $24.63 |
| 14 | Kansas | $48,191 | $23.17 |
| 15 | Nevada | $49,348 | $23.73 |
| 16 | South Carolina | $46,228 | $22.23 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $45,876 | $22.06 |
| 19 | Missouri | $48,346 | $23.24 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $51,094 | $24.56 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $58,032 | $27.90 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $46,235 | $22.23 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $46,021 | $22.13 |
| 25 | Iowa | $46,184 | $22.20 |
| 26 | Rhode Island | $48,928 | $23.52 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $54,895 | $26.39 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $49,179 | $23.64 |
| 29 | Illinois | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $45,199 | $21.73 |
| 31 | Georgia | $45,926 | $22.08 |
| 32 | Mississippi | $43,995 | $21.15 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $45,185 | $21.72 |
| 34 | California | $47,386 | $22.78 |
| 35 | Michigan | $42,259 | $20.32 |
| 36 | Colorado | $46,609 | $22.41 |
| 37 | North Dakota | $44,086 | $21.20 |
| 38 | Alaska | $47,556 | $22.86 |
| 39 | Indiana | $41,773 | $20.08 |
| 40 | Florida | $42,688 | $20.52 |
| 41 | Texas | $42,441 | $20.40 |
| 42 | Ohio | $41,330 | $19.87 |
| 43 | Pennsylvania | $40,902 | $19.66 |
| 44 | Delaware | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $38,366 | $18.45 |
| 46 | Arizona | $42,894 | $20.62 |
| 47 | Utah | $41,775 | $20.08 |
| 48 | New Jersey | $41,849 | $20.12 |
| 49 | New Mexico | $42,338 | $20.35 |
| 50 | Virginia | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| 51 | Maryland | $40,582 | $19.51 |
The highest-paying cities for retail sales specialists are Washington, DC, Seattle, WA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $58,039 | $27.90 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $53,067 | $25.51 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $51,235 | $24.63 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $51,103 | $24.57 |
| 5 | Billings, MT | $50,556 | $24.31 |
| 6 | Reno, NV | $49,437 | $23.77 |
| 7 | South Portland, ME | $49,394 | $23.75 |
| 8 | Rochester, MN | $49,095 | $23.60 |
| 9 | Cheyenne, WY | $48,755 | $23.44 |
| 10 | Omaha, NE | $48,626 | $23.38 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $48,409 | $23.27 |
| 12 | Rochester, NH | $48,255 | $23.20 |
| 13 | Kansas City, KS | $48,243 | $23.19 |
| 14 | San Francisco, CA | $47,967 | $23.06 |
| 15 | Chicago, IL | $47,385 | $22.78 |
| 16 | Milwaukee, WI | $47,311 | $22.75 |
| 17 | Columbia, TN | $46,944 | $22.57 |
| 18 | Denver, CO | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| 19 | Greenville, NC | $46,429 | $22.32 |
| 20 | Greenville, SC | $46,364 | $22.29 |
A retail sales specialist's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $45,756 | $3,813 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
The highest paying types of retail sales specialists are product specialist/sales specialist, electronic specialist, and specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Clerk | $25,739 | $2,145 | $12.37 | 372,651 |
| Seasonal Sales Representative | $34,026 | $2,835 | $16.36 | 418,641 |
| Retail Clerk | $30,046 | $2,504 | $14.45 | 470,355 |
| Retail Sales Representative | $37,907 | $3,159 | $18.22 | 391,763 |
| Retail Sales Manager | $48,678 | $4,057 | $23.40 | 353,765 |
| Retail Sales Consultant | $42,323 | $3,527 | $20.35 | 290,980 |
Top companies hiring retail sales specialists now:
Retail sales specialist salaries at Anastasia Beverly Hills and Fresh Express are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average retail sales specialist salary at companies like Coty and Great Southern Homes are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anastasia Beverly Hills | $59,106 | $28.42 |
| 2 | Fresh Express | $56,918 | $27.36 |
| 3 | Coty | $53,238 | $25.60 |
| 4 | Great Southern Homes | $49,888 | $23.98 |
| 5 | Chobani | $48,370 | $23.25 |
| 6 | Spectrum | $46,504 | $22.36 |
| 7 | New York Life Insurance | $46,421 | $22.32 |
| 8 | Central States Mfg | $45,974 | $22.10 |
| 9 | Grand Furniture | $45,946 | $22.09 |
| 10 | Mammoth Mountain | $45,857 | $22.05 |
| 11 | ICONMA | $45,515 | $21.88 |
| 12 | Apollo Professional Solutions | $45,231 | $21.75 |
| 13 | Aki Technologies | $45,021 | $21.64 |
| 14 | The Gents Place | $44,909 | $21.59 |
| 15 | Sherwin-Williams | $44,892 | $21.58 |
| 16 | TechStyle Fashion Group | $44,872 | $21.57 |
| 17 | Vita | $44,872 | $21.57 |
| 18 | CleanChoice Energy | $44,872 | $21.57 |
| 19 | Tonal Systems | $44,872 | $21.57 |
| 20 | Custom Truck One Source | $44,872 | $21.57 |
The average retail sales specialist salary has risen by $10,256 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average retail sales specialist earned $35,500 annually, but today, they earn $45,756 a year. That works out to a 19% change in pay for retail sales specialists over the last decade.
Compare retail sales specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare retail sales specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,800 | $22.00 | +6.8% |
| 2024 | $42,700 | $20.51 | +4.2% |
| 2023 | $40,900 | $19.66 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $39,200 | $18.85 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $38,300 | $18.42 | +4.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaamidatlantic | Retail Membership Sales Specialist | Manchester, CT | 06/30/2025 | $42,909 |
| Aaamidatlantic | AAA Retail Membership Sales Specialist | Eatontown, NJ | 06/30/2025 | $42,909 |
| Cell Touch | Mobile Expert-Retail Sales | Savannah, GA | 06/29/2025 | $20,870 |
| Best Buy | Retail Sales Specialist-Home Theater | Hot Springs, AR | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Best Buy | Retail Sales Specialist-Verizon | Maryland | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Best Buy | Retail Sales Specialist-Appliances | Braintree Town, MA | 06/28/2025 | $37,274 |
| Best Buy | Retail Sales Specialist-Appliances | Overland Park, KS | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Advantage Solutions | Retail Sales Specialist | Augusta, ME | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| Advantage Solutions | Retail Sales Specialist | Bakersfield, CA | 06/28/2025 | $37,566 |
| Advantage Solutions | Retail Sales Specialist-Pepsico Account | Saint Louis, MO | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
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