Retail Salespersons in Illinois
Thinking about a career as a Retail Salespersons in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know. Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers. Excludes “Cashiers” (41-2011).
What do Retail Salespersons Make in Illinois?
For retail salespersons working in Illinois, the typical annual salary is $34,490 per year (or about $16.58/hour).Pay can range from $29,580 at the 10th percentile to $47,880 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| 25th percentile | $30,540 | $14.68 |
| Median (50th) | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| 75th percentile | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| 90th percentile | $47,880 | $23.02 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Illinois nationwide is 0.89, meaning fewer retail salespersons per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, retail salespersons earn a median of $28,452 per year ($13.68/hour), higher than the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 95,327 retail salespersons nationwide. In Illinois alone, around 132,880 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 47,680 retail salespersons.
Top Illinois Metros for Retail Salespersons
These are the Illinois metros with the most retail salespersons in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 102,320 | $34,910 |
| Peoria, IL | 3,780 | $32,210 |
| Rockford, IL | 3,180 | $32,150 |
| Springfield, IL | 2,780 | $32,210 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 2,240 | $32,350 |
| Bloomington, IL | 1,880 | $31,200 |
| Kankakee, IL | 1,150 | $30,900 |
| Decatur, IL | 920 | $32,880 |
Top States for Retail Salespersons Employment
The table below shows the states where the most retail salespersons work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 352,860 |
| Texas | 329,520 |
| Florida | 325,960 |
| New York | 233,740 |
| Pennsylvania | 143,460 |
| Georgia | 142,520 |
| Illinois | 132,880 |
| Ohio | 127,070 |
| North Carolina | 126,060 |
| Michigan | 111,210 |
| Virginia | 101,260 |
| Arizona | 88,490 |
| New Jersey | 87,760 |
| Massachusetts | 86,410 |
| Washington | 86,050 |
| Tennessee | 85,810 |
| Indiana | 82,400 |
| Colorado | 74,640 |
| Maryland | 72,010 |
| Minnesota | 69,640 |
Highest-Paying States for Retail Salespersons
These states pay the most for retail salespersons.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $38,350 |
| District of Columbia | $37,800 |
| California | $37,250 |
| New York | $37,020 |
| Colorado | $36,960 |
| Alaska | $36,940 |
| Vermont | $36,810 |
| Maine | $36,460 |
| Massachusetts | $36,320 |
| Oregon | $36,140 |
Skills
Top retail salespersons skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for retail salespersons, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
- Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
- Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
- Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
- Ticket, arrange, and display merchandise to promote sales.
- Inventory stock and requisition new stock.
- Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.
- Watch for and recognize security risks and thefts and know how to prevent or handle these situations.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Working with Computers
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator
Related Careers
Careers similar to retail salespersons include:
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Cashiers
- Counter and Rental Clerks
Also Known As
Art Dealer, Art Objects Salesperson, Auto Dealer, Automobile Accessories Salesperson, Automobile Salesman, Automobiles Salesperson, Automotive Salesperson, Bakery Clerk, Bargain Table Clerk, Beauty Advisor, Beauty Consultant, Beauty Counselor, Boats and Marine Supplies Sales Representative, Books Salesperson, Car Dealer.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 41-2031.00
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