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Retail service representative job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected retail service representative job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for retail service representatives are projected over the next decade.
Retail service representative salaries have increased 19% for retail service representatives in the last 5 years.
There are over 27,201 retail service representatives currently employed in the United States.
There are 229,402 active retail service representative job openings in the US.
The average retail service representative salary is $33,771.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,201 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 26,952 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 31,800 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 32,758 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 32,714 | 0.01% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,771 | $16.24 | +7.2% |
| 2025 | $31,489 | $15.14 | +4.3% |
| 2024 | $30,180 | $14.51 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $28,945 | $13.92 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $28,284 | $13.60 | +4.1% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,006 | 75% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 955 | 71% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 4,102 | 60% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 525 | 55% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,690 | 54% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 330 | 53% |
| 7 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 4,567 | 51% |
| 8 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 3,396 | 51% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,841 | 51% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 2,117 | 48% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 503 | 48% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 5,849 | 46% |
| 13 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 5,397 | 46% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 486 | 46% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 4,658 | 45% |
| 16 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 2,518 | 45% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 5,544 | 43% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 3,032 | 43% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,546 | 43% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 325 | 43% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rome | 1 | 3% | $41,986 |
| 2 | Alpharetta | 1 | 2% | $30,047 |
| 3 | Utica | 1 | 2% | $41,959 |
| 4 | Anaheim | 1 | 0% | $44,901 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $45,063 |
| 6 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $46,684 |
| 7 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $44,572 |
University of Northwestern Ohio
North Dakota State University
Valparaiso University
Nazareth College of Rochester
University of Akron
The Travel Institute
Peter Weiss Ph.D., P.E.: Interpersonal skills and communication will become more important, but they have been very important for a very long time. Additionally, computer skills will also become more important. For example, learning CAD software or software specific to your area of work will become more important. In a combination of interpersonal skills and computer skills, learning how to stay connected with colleagues, your employer, and your superiors in this post-Covid time period will become more important. While it rarely occurred prior to Covid, it is common now for people to work remotely for at least some of the work week. It used to be that if you had a question you could walk down the hallway and ask a colleague but, with remote work occurring more frequently, this is becoming more difficult. So, it will be more important, especially for new graduates, to be able to maintain these lines of communication, build relationships, and communicate clearly while they and/or their colleagues are working remotely.
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)
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)
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
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: Some skills that will become more important will be very specific to a certain role. However,
some of the more general skills that will impact most roles to at least some degree will
include:
Being proficient with technology and keeping updated with the latest technical tools
Knowing how to utilize and interpret data into useful and reliable information
Communicating in ways that are respectful, while also efficient and effective
Showing flexibility in regards to working with people and with processes
Developing self-management skills, which will help deal with stress and build up
resilience/determination to succeed
Respecting personal time
Scott Lail PhD, MBA, CPA, CFE, CGMA, SPHR: I think, like many other things in life, it is important to treat beginning and maintaining a
professional career as a continuous process and not just having to find a job when one is
needed. This process should include many elements that include the following:
Prepare yourself that it takes a lot of effort to get into a career and to get a career
path started. Starting out, there will be more “no” than “yes” responses received.
Remember, the better careers will normally be more difficult to get into and receiving
a “no” is no reflection on your worth as a person. It just means it is not the right
opportunity at that specific time for you
Seek out opportunities to interact with individuals either in your desired field or
organization and see what information can be gained to help you have a clearer
understanding of what that industry/organization values and entails
Make connections with individuals as you meet them, even if knowing them does not
meet an immediate need, and try to be as helpful to the connections as you would
hope that the connection would be to you. Professional Social Media sites such as
LinkedIn are a great way to organize and maintain these connections
Focus on building relationships with individuals at all levels of your organization/field.
This is a great way to practice interpersonal skills and you may also be surprised at
what you can learn from individuals at multiple levels (not just the top level) of your
field/organization
Look for opportunities to continuously develop knowledge and skills within your field.
The key is to make sure these opportunities are being offered by reliable and
relevant sources. A lot of fields have organizations that help promote continuous
learning opportunities and where reputable sources can be located
Don’t take the “little things” for granted. Although some things are just expected, it is
important to make sure you are doing them. It is important to note most of these do
not require special skills at all. They include: be timely, be respectful, be honest
(including when you make mistakes), be positive/optimistic, be appreciative, be
focused, and be committed
Set goals and communicate those goals as appropriate with leadership in your
field/organization. “SMART” goals are a great way to help keep focused and
progressing. Having a Personal Development Plan in addition to one specifically for
your organization can guide you to your long-term goals
North Dakota State University
Marketing
Eric Gjerdevig: First, remember that what you get out of your first job is so much more than compensation. A great manager mentoring you is priceless: it will pay you back dividends for the rest of your career. That said, in sales our compensation is typically tied to our performance. That means we need to put yourself out there, pay attention to the actions of the most successful salesperson in the company, learn everything you can, and manage your time well.
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: As technology evolves rapidly, the significance of universal skills, not bound to particular platforms, will become more important. In particular, the ability and interest to engage in lifelong learning will become more important than ever before. Professionals will need to recognize areas within their industry that are undergoing transformation and proactively pursue new knowledge, integrating it into their work.
Meagan Glasco M.S., M.R.: New graduates can optimize their salary potential by employing three key strategies. First, doing research into their value in the job market and the specific role they're pursuing enables informed negotiation. Second, possessing the ability to articulate their value through highlighting relevant skills and experiences enhances their bargaining position. Finally, integrating their research and communication skills into self-advocacy during the job search and when negotiating job offers will help new graduates optimize their salary 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.
Valparaiso University
Natural Resources Conservation And Research
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.
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?
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.
Nazareth College of Rochester
History
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.
Timothy Kneeland: Take every opportunity that you can to learn new skills and to take initiative in different situations. Do not shy away from taking on new tasks that could lead to a promotion or could be invaluable in a later career.
Try to remember that institutions change slowly and that if you are smart, personable, and persistent, you can be the one to make beneficial changes to the organization that hired you. You have to build trust and relationships first.
Network! Go out of your way to meet people in your organization. Spend time having lunch with people. Get to know them and, if possible, find a mentor in your new position.
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.
University of Akron
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
Frederik Beuk: Digital Literacy and AI are obviously on everybody's mind. The benefit for early career professionals is that these are skills they can use to differentiate themselves from more established professionals. Embrace these tools. At the same time, being an authentic storyteller that helps buyers envision the potential of your solutions can be an extremely powerful skill.
Diane Petras: I envision technology continuing to impact the travel industry in many ways, including:
· Technology will create additional opportunities to connect travelers and agents that would otherwise never meet. For instance:
o The Travel Institute’s digital credentials for agents allow travelers to find and validate an agent’s experience and education through us as a third-party, independent resource.
o Online video meetings are now the norm, enabling people to connect on a deeper level than email or phone allows.
o Social media tools are becoming more prevalent in helping agents stay connected to current clients while also expanding their reach and growing their base.
· Technology will also further enable online learning.
o As the leader in travel industry education, we believe online learning management systems will only become more critical. We already deliver most of our content through an online, interactive educational tool, and we see only increased interest from students for us to make our print resources available via this platform.
o Group learning online is also a popular, growing trend as we facilitate more and more virtual classrooms for students to learn together, share experiences and ideas, and grow their networks.
· There will also be more artificial intelligence and cloud-based technology to assist agents during the trip planning process and help agents with time-consuming, research-intensive, repetitive tasks so that they can spend more time collaborating with clients, suppliers, and destinations to produce more vacation choices, customization, and immersive experiences.
· One thing technology will not do is replicate the agent’s true value. Over the years, DIY travelers have found themselves stranded during crises related to weather, terrorism, health, and more; learning the hard way that they were without the support of a travel expert who could navigate a rapidly changing situation and find a creative solution to get them home quickly and safely. The 2020 pandemic has proven, yet again, there is no replacement for a professional travel agent with the critical thinking skills, supplier relationships, industry knowledge, and network connections needed to advise and assist before, during, and after travel.