What is a Retail Salesperson?
Retail Salesperson Job Description Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Daily Life Of a Retail Salesperson
- Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
- Estimate and quote trade-in allowances.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
- Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.
- Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
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What a Retail Salesperson Should Know
These are the skills Retail Salespersons say are the most useful in their careers:
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Related Job Titles
- Store Clerk
- Retail Salesworker
- Sales Consultant
- Sheet Music Salesperson
- Retail Clerk
What Kind of Retail Salesperson Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 4,602,500 jobs in the United States for Retail Salesperson. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 1.7% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 79,600 new jobs for Retail Salesperson by 2026. The BLS estimates 670,300 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Retail Salesperson are Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Retail Salespersons Salary
The typical yearly salary for Retail Salespersons is somewhere between $18,400 and $41,530.

Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Retail Salespersons in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $26,770 |
Alaska | $30,060 |
Arizona | $27,050 |
Arkansas | $25,610 |
California | $31,460 |
Colorado | $30,860 |
Connecticut | $32,910 |
Delaware | $26,330 |
District of Columbia | $37,510 |
Florida | $26,790 |
Georgia | $25,510 |
Hawaii | $30,530 |
Idaho | $27,710 |
Illinois | $28,710 |
Indiana | $26,040 |
Iowa | $26,870 |
Kansas | $27,390 |
Kentucky | $25,700 |
Louisiana | $25,420 |
Maine | $28,310 |
Maryland | $27,740 |
Massachusetts | $30,290 |
Michigan | $27,440 |
Minnesota | $29,190 |
Mississippi | $25,780 |
Missouri | $28,030 |
Montana | $28,500 |
Nebraska | $27,380 |
Nevada | $28,180 |
New Hampshire | $28,610 |
New Jersey | $29,180 |
New Mexico | $27,060 |
New York | $30,100 |
North Carolina | $26,190 |
North Dakota | $32,830 |
Ohio | $28,260 |
Oklahoma | $27,940 |
Oregon | $30,590 |
Pennsylvania | $27,350 |
Rhode Island | $31,630 |
South Carolina | $26,420 |
South Dakota | $29,450 |
Tennessee | $27,790 |
Texas | $26,840 |
Utah | $27,570 |
Vermont | $30,930 |
Virginia | $27,310 |
Washington | $34,500 |
West Virginia | $25,400 |
Wisconsin | $26,540 |
Wyoming | $28,280 |
What Tools do Retail Salespersons Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Retail Salespersons:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Dynamics
- IBM Notes
- Google Docs
- FileMaker Pro
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Intuit QuickBooks
How to Become a Retail Salesperson
What education is needed to be a Retail Salesperson?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Retail Salesperson?

Where Retail Salespersons Work

Below are examples of industries where Retail Salespersons work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those who work as a Retail Salesperson sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Tour Guides and Escorts
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
- Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
- Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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