Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for store associates in the United States
Store associate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected store associate job growth rate is 0% from 2018-2028.
About 1,900 new jobs for store associates are projected over the next decade.
Store associate salaries have increased 19% for store associates in the last 5 years.
There are over 114,154 store associates currently employed in the United States.
There are 495,423 active store associate job openings in the US.
The average store associate salary is $29,543.
Are store associate jobs in demand?
Store associate job and salary trends over time
Store associate jobs over time
Store associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 114,154 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 112,655 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 132,185 | 0.04% |
| 2018 | 135,959 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 135,880 | 0.04% |
Average store associate salary over time
Store associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,543 | $14.20 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | $27,547 | $13.24 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $26,401 | $12.69 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $25,321 | $12.17 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $24,743 | $11.90 | +4.1% |
Store associate jobs by state
Most common states for store associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 1,304 | 97% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 848 | 88% |
| 3 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 1,089 | 82% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 5,556 | 81% |
| 5 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 4,659 | 70% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 3,835 | 68% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 2,438 | 68% |
| 8 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 1,994 | 63% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 6,504 | 62% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,914 | 62% |
| 11 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 1,133 | 62% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 472 | 62% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 384 | 62% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 7,794 | 61% |
| 15 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 5,965 | 60% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 3,565 | 59% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 3,399 | 59% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 2,877 | 59% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 1,774 | 59% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 625 | 59% |
Most common cities for store associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roseville | 17 | 48% | $32,103 |
| 2 | Sarasota | 20 | 35% | $27,073 |
| 3 | Grand Rapids | 21 | 11% | $28,540 |
| 4 | Orlando | 27 | 10% | $26,982 |
| 5 | Saint Paul | 23 | 8% | $32,080 |
| 6 | Atlanta | 28 | 6% | $25,609 |
| 7 | Tucson | 28 | 5% | $29,072 |
| 8 | Miami | 22 | 5% | $27,195 |
| 9 | Tampa | 18 | 5% | $26,998 |
| 10 | Minneapolis | 17 | 4% | $32,064 |
| 11 | Boston | 19 | 3% | $33,452 |
| 12 | Las Vegas | 16 | 3% | $26,362 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | 21 | 2% | $26,931 |
| 14 | Austin | 17 | 2% | $26,282 |
| 15 | Houston | 29 | 1% | $26,228 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 23 | 1% | $32,113 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 19 | 1% | $29,169 |
| 18 | Dallas | 18 | 1% | $25,859 |
| 19 | San Diego | 17 | 1% | $31,830 |
| 20 | New York | 18 | 0% | $34,461 |
Store Associate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of store associate experts
University of Mount Union
Franklin and Marshall College
California State University Channel Islands
San Diego Mesa College
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 Store Associates?
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 Store Associates?
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 Store Associates?
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.
Meegan Feori Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSan Diego Mesa College
Department is Business Department
What general advice would you give to a Store Associate?
Meegan Feori Ph.D.: Consider your career in terms of what you are willing to do right now to support yourself and be self-sufficient. During the last recession, I was underemployed, working as a part-time pool lifeguard and making funnel cakes at a local amusement park. Not ideal, but with my funds running low, it was necessary. A third part-time position I had, updating apparel tech packs, did pave my way to a full-time job in the fashion industry. So hustle and be flexible. Also, take time to consider what you can do to create opportunities for yourself. This could include an internship, volunteering, taking a warehouse position at a fashion brand, or completing a class that interests you. The best advice I was ever given was to keep pursuing your goals and accept that what you will be doing in ten years will be better than you ever imagined. The advice came true for me, and I think it will be true for you as well.