What You Need to Know About Retail Salesperson
Occupation Description Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Daily Life Of a Retail Salesperson
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
- Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
- Rent merchandise to customers.
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Qualities of a Retail Salesperson
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.
Other Retail Salesperson Job Titles
- Vendette
- Shoe Salesperson
- Bakery Clerk
- Beauty Advisor
- Beauty Counselor
Job Demand for Retail Salespersons
There were about 4,602,500 jobs for Retail Salesperson in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 670,300 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Do Retail Salespersons Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Retail Salesperson ranges between $18,400 and $41,530.

Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Retail Salespersons make 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Retail Salespersons may use on a daily basis:
- 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 kind of Retail Salesperson requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Retail Salesperson?

Where do Retail Salespersons Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Are you already one of the many Retail Salesperson in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
- 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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