Retail Workers: 2018

American Community Survey Reports

By D. Augustus Anderson and Lynda Laughlin

Issued August 2020

ACS-44

INTRODUCTION 

The retail workforce has a substantial presence in 

the American labor force. In 2018, 9.8 million workers were employed as either retail salespersons, 

cashiers, or first-line supervisors of retail sales 

workers. They are also some of the most common 

occupations in the United States (Table 1). 

Since the 1970s, employment in the retail sector 

has expanded as consumer spending increased 

and the rise of dual-earner households in the 1980s 

led to an increased supply of female workers.1

Through the early 2000s and post Great Recession 

period, the retail industry has been shaped by 

larger economic forces, such as the consolidation of retail stores and the growth of online retail 

options, that may limit the growth of “brick and 

mortar” retail stores and limit the demand for 

retail workers.2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics 

(BLS) recently projected that employment in retail 

sales occupations would decrease by 2.0 percent 

between 2018 and 2028, below the average of 5.0 

percent for all occupations.3

More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic, a health 

crisis of unprecedented size, has caused major 

1

 Sarah Kuhn and Barry Bluestone, “Economics Restructuring 

and the Female Labor Market: The Impact of Industrial Change 

on Women,” Women, Households, and the Economy, eds. Lourdes 

Beneria and Catherine R. Stimpston, Rutgers University Press, New 

Jersey, 1987, p.3. 2 Ali Hortacsu and Chad Syverson, “The Ongoing Evolution 

of US Retail: A Format of Tug-of-War,” Journal of Economic 

Perspectives, Vol. 29 (4), 2015, p. 89. 3 See <www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm#tab-6>.

disruptions in economic activities in the United 

States and around the world. Data from the BLS 

show that total nonfarm payroll employment 

declined by 20.5 million in April 2020. The retail 

trade industry alone lost 2.1 million jobs.4 Retail 

workers have been among the hardest hit during 

the pandemic for many reasons including stayat-home orders that threaten their earnings. For 

those that continued to work, many were in work 

environments that put them in direct contact with 

others, increasing their likelihood of infection.

This report provides a detailed description of the 

demographic and employment characteristics of 

retail workers using the most recently available 

data from the 2018 American Community Surveys 

(ACS) 1-year estimates, as well as the 2000 Census 

and 2010 ACS 1-year estimates.5 The 2018 ACS 

1-year estimates collected data on occupations 

throughout calendar year 2018, thus these data 

necessarily reflect the situation prior to the COVID19 pandemic. Because of that, these data will provide a solid baseline for understanding the impact 

of the economic crisis and recession that began 

in February 2020.6 This report focuses on the 

numbers and characteristics of some of the most 

common sales and related occupations—first line 

supervisors of retail sales workers, cashiers, and 

4 See <www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_05082020

.htm>. 5 The U.S. Census Bureau reviewed this data product for 

unauthorized disclosure of confidential information and approved 

the disclosure avoidance practices applied to this release. 

CBDRB-FY20-POP001-0058. 6 NBER <www.nber.org/cycles/june2020.html>.
2 U.S. Census Bureau

retail salespersons, collectively 

referred to in this report as retail 

workers.7

HIGHLIGHTS 

• In 2018, 9.8 million workers were employed as retail 

salespersons, cashiers, or 

first-line supervisors of retail 

sales workers. Together, these 

three detailed occupations 

accounted for 6.3 percent of 

the total labor force. 

• Over half of all retail workers 

were aged 16 to 34. Cashiers 

had the youngest age profile 

with 48.3 percent between 

the ages of 16 and 24. 

• Women were less likely than 

men to manage or supervise 

retail workers. About 47 percent of first-line supervisors 

of retail workers were women, 

compared with 53.4 percent 

who were men.

• Black and Hispanic retail 

workers were less likely than 

White retail workers to be 

in supervisory positions like 

first-line supervisors of retail 

sales workers. 

• Cashiers were among the 

lowest paid members of the 

retail workforce. In 2018, the 

median earnings for fulltime, year-round cashiers 

were $22,109, compared 

with $35,301 for retail salespersons and $42,421 for 

first-line supervisors of retail 

salespersons. 

• Around 25 percent of cashiers 

were covered by Medicaid at 

some point in 2018, compared 

with 12.6 percent of retail 

salespersons and 7.8 percent 

of first-line supervisors of 

retail workers.

EMPLOYMENT IN RETAIL 

OCCUPATIONS 

With over 550 occupations classified by the Census Bureau, 

the distribution of America’s 

labor force is concentrated in 

a relatively small number of 

occupations.8, 9 Together, the 

three detailed occupations that 

make up retail workers account 

for about 9.8 million workers, 

or 6.3 percent of the total labor 

force in 2018 (Figures 1 and 2). 

Retail salespersons and cashiers 

include over 3.3 million workers each, followed by first-line 

supervisors of retail sales workers with 3.1 million workers.10

Other large occupations include 

elementary and middle school 

teachers, registered nurses, and 

janitors and building cleaners 

(Figure 1). 

Despite ongoing technological changes in ways customers 

interact with retail businesses 

and the general consolidation of 

retail stores, there has been little 

change in the relative number 

7 First-line supervisors, cashiers, and 

retails salespersons are part of the major 

occupational group, sales and related 

occupations. This major group includes 18 

detailed occupations including telemarketers, insurance sales agents, and counter and rental clerks. See the 2018 Census 

Occupation Code list for additional 

details, <www.census.gov/topics

/employment/industry-occupation

/guidance/code-lists.html>.

8 Jennifer Cheeseman Day and Jeffrey 

Rosenthal, “Detailed Occupations and 

Median Earnings: 2008,” Working Paper, 

U.S. Census Bureau, 2008. 9 Occupation statistics are compiled from 

data coded based on the 2018 Standard 

Occupational Classification (SOC) unless 

otherwise stated. All federal statistical agencies use the SOC to classify workers into 

occupational categories. The SOC manual is 

available online at <www.bls.gov/soc>. 10 The estimates in this report are based 

on responses from a sample of the population. As with all surveys, estimates may vary 

from the actual values because of sampling 

variation or other factors. All comparisons 

made in this report have undergone statistical testing and are significant at the 90 

percent confidence level unless otherwise 

noted.

Figure 1.

Selected Largest Occupations: 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

5

8

14

17

Managers, all other

Elementary and middle 

school teachers

Driver/sales workers and

truck drivers

Cashiers

Retail salespersons

Registered nurses

Customer service

representatives

First-line supervisors of 

retail sales workers

Janitors and building cleaners

Secretaries and administrative

assistants, except legal, 

medical, and executive

3.9

3.8

3.7

3.3

3.3

3.3

3.1

3.1

2.7

2.6

(Civilian labor force, 16 years and over)

Millions
U.S. Census Bureau 3

or share of retail workers.11 In 

2018, there were 9.8 million 

retail workers, up from 8.8 million workers in 2000 (Figure 

2). Retail workers’ share of total 

employment over this same time 

period fell slightly between 2010 

and 2018, from 6.9 percent to 

6.3 percent, respectively.12

CHARACTERISTICS OF RETAIL 

WORKERS 

Retail jobs offer numerous entrylevel employment opportunities 

and are a common first job for 

young workers. However, retail 

jobs are also among those with 

11 Werner Rinartz, “In the Future of 

Retail, We’re Never Not Shopping,” Harvard 

Business Review, March 10, 2016. 12 Estimates presented in this report do 

not reflect any possible economic impacts 

related to the coronavirus pandemic in 

2020, but instead serve as a precrisis 

benchmark for future research. Additional 

resources on more current workforce 

dynamics can be found at <https://lehd.ces

.census.gov/data/>.

Figure 2.

Retail Workers: Total and Percentage of Civilian Labor 

Force: 2000, 2010, and 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and 2010 and 2018 

American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

8.8M

2000

16.8

9.6M 9.8M

2010 2018

6.8% 6.9% 6.3%

M = millions

2000 2010 2018

KEY DEFINITIONS AND OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS

Retail workers include the following detailed occupations:

First-line supervisors of retail sales workers directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail 

sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such 

as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties. 

Cashiers receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. Many use 

electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks. 

Retail salespersons sell merchandise such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to 

consumers. 

Census Occupational Classifications

Occupation statistics are compiled from data that are coded based on the 2018 Standard 

Occupational Classification (SOC) manual. Census Bureau occupation codes, based on the 2018 

SOC, provide 570 specific occupational categories arranged into 23 major occupational groups. The 

retail occupations selected for this report are part of sales and related occupations major occupational group. This major group includes 18 detailed occupations including telemarketers, insurance 

sales agents, and counter and rental clerks. See the 2018 Census Occupation Code list for additional 

details at <www.census.gov/topics/employment/industry-occupation/guidance/code-lists.html>.

For more information on the 2018 SOC, see <www.bls.gov/soc/2018/home.htm>.
4 U.S. Census Bureau

the lowest wages and lack access 

to health insurance or retirement 

or pension benefits.13, 14 To shed 

light on this large workforce, 

this section focuses on select 

demographic and economic 

characteristics of retail workers 

in 2018. Data are presented for all 

retail workers as well as for each 

detailed occupation within this 

group of workers. 

DEMOGRAPHIC 

CHARACTERISTICS

Age and Sex

Overall, retail workers are 

younger than the total workforce, with workers between 

the ages of 16 and 34 making 

up the largest share of retail 

workers (Table 1). About half 

of employed retail workers 

fall within this age range, with 

29.0 percent between the ages 

of 16 to 24, and 21.5 percent 

between the ages of 25 to 34. 

Across the selected retail occupations, cashiers were some of 

the youngest, with 48.3 percent 

between the ages of 16 and 

24 and 18.0 percent between 

the ages of 25 to 34. Among 

the next youngest were retail 

salespersons, with 28.6 percent 

between the ages of 16 and 

24 and 20.7 percent between 

the ages of 25 and 34. In contrast, 8.8 percent of first-line 

13 Francoise Carre and Chris Tilly, 

“America’s Biggest Low-wage Industry: 

Continuity and Change in Retail Jobs,” 

Center for Social Policy Publications, Paper 

22, 2008. 14 Arne L. Kalleberg, Barbara F. Reskin, 

and Ken Hudson, “Bad Jobs in America: 

Standard and Nonstandard Employment 

in Relations and Job Quality in the United 

States,” American Sociological Review, 

Vol. 65 (2), 2000.

supervisors of retail sales workers were between the ages of 16 

and 24, but the larger share of 

workers were between the ages 

of 25 and 34 (26.1 percent).

In general, retail workers were 

more likely to be women than 

men (56.5 percent compared 

with 43.5 percent, respectively). 

However, the representation 

of women differs by detailed 

retail occupations. For example, 

almost 3 out of 4 cashiers were 

women, while similar percentages of women and men were 

employed as retail salespersons (both around 50 percent, 

respectively). Women were less 

likely to manage or supervise 

retail salespersons. About 47 

percent of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers were 

women, compared with 53.4 

percent who were men.

Educational Attainment

Retail workers were less likely 

to have a bachelor’s degree or 

more compared to the total 

employed population. In 2018, 

18.1 percent of retail workers had 

a bachelor’s degree or more, 

compared with 35.2 percent of 

all workers. Among the selected 

retail-related occupations, 25.8 

percent of first-line supervisors 

and 21.2 percent of retail salespersons had a bachelor’s degree, 

compared with 7.8 percent of 

cashiers. The lack of a bachelor’s 

degree among retail workers 

reflects the younger age distribution of this occupation group, 

especially cashiers. 

Race and Hispanic Origin 

The racial and ethnic representation of all retail workers 

differed little from the overall 

workforce.15 About two-thirds 

of the total workforce in 2018 

was non-Hispanic White, compared with 59.5 percent of retail 

workers. Blacks and Hispanics 

were relatively more likely to be 

employed in some type of retail 

occupation compared to their 

counterparts in the overall workforce. Asian workers constituted 

5.9 percent of retail occupations, 

compared with 6.1 percent of all 

workers. 

Although a majority of retail 

workers were non-Hispanic 

White, the racial and ethnic distribution varies by the selected 

retail occupations. For example, 

Black and Hispanic workers were 

overrepresented in cashier jobs. 

Nearly a quarter of cashiers 

were Hispanic, while Hispanics 

made up 18.7 percent of all retail 

workers. Black workers made up 

12.5 percent of all retail workers 

but held 16.9 percent of cashier 

jobs. In contrast, non-Hispanic 

White retail workers were 

15 Federal surveys give respondents the 

option of reporting more than one race. 

Therefore, two basic ways of defining a race 

group are possible. A group, such as Asian, 

may be defined as those who reported 

Asian and no other race (the race-alone 

or single-race concept) or as those who 

reported Asian regardless of whether they 

also reported another race (the race-aloneor-in-combination concept). This report 

shows data using the first approach (race 

alone). The use of the single-race population does not imply that it is the preferred 

method of presenting or analyzing the 

data. The Census Bureau uses a variety of 

approaches. In this report, the term “nonHispanic White” or “White, not Hispanic” 

refers to people who are not Hispanic and 

who reported White and no other race. 

Because Hispanics may be any race, data 

for Hispanics overlap with data for racial 

groups.
U.S. Census Bureau

5

Table 1.Selected Characteristics of Retail Workers: 2018(Civilian employed, 16 years and over)

Characteristics 

Total Retail workers First-line supervisors of retail sales workers Cashiers Retail salespersons

Number

Margin 

of error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±)

   TOTAL . . . . . .AGE16 to 24 years old ...

25 to 34 years old ...

35 to 44 years old ...

45 to 54 years old ...

55 Years and Over ...

SEXMale ...............

Female .............

RACE AND HISPANIC 

ORIGIN

White, not Hispanic ..

Black, not Hispanic ..

Asian, not Hispanic ..

Other race, not 

Hispanic ..........

Hispanic ............

EDUCATIONAL 

ATTAINMENT

Less than high school 

graduate ..........

High school graduate 

(includes equivalency) ............

Some college 

(includes associate degree) ...........

Bachelor’s degree or 

more .............

WORK STATUS Full-time, yearround .............

Less than full-time, 

year-round ........

t en    See notes a of table

156,783,165

20,078,516

35,510,133

32,915,132

32,445,012

35,834,372

82,216,665

74,566,500

97,448,196

17,938,178

9,487,788

4,532,899

27,376,104

14,168,606

38,226,819

49,132,338

55,255,402

111,195,237

45,587,928

d .

142,228

53,878

53,593

55,184

59,435

71,944

86,762

99,071

105,374

46,888

32,228

44,649

48,678

68,837

121,574

117,168

207,157

124,689

119,742

100.0

12.8

22.6

21.0

20.7

22.9

52.4

47.6

62.2

11.4

6.1

2.9

17.5

9.0

24.4

31.3

35.2

70.9

29.1

X

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

<0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

9,836,330

2,855,944

2,116,093

1,513,572

1,458,786

1,891,935

4,274,134

5,562,196

5,853,665

1,226,478

576,195

344,571

1,835,421

1,158,305

3,096,994

3,799,132

1,781,899

5,395,859

4,440,471

62,325

33,587

32,708

24,290

18,392

21,444

36,225

46,326

38,202

22,783

15,000

10,960

30,316

19,290

35,257

35,851

21,032

37,520

43,690

100.0

29.0

21.5

15.4

14.8

19.2

43.5

56.5

59.5

12.5

5.9

3.5

18.7

11.8

31.5

38.6

18.1

54.9

45.1

X

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.3

0.3

3,134,159

276,741

817,271

709,468

673,983

656,696

1,673,668

1,460,491

2,124,335

286,521

176,464

95,814

451,025

171,138

914,423

1,238,952

809,646

2,658,713

475,446

30,369

10,414

17,434

16,183

11,569

12,347

24,930

18,622

24,275

10,022

8,661

5,617

14,535

8,428

17,124

18,332

15,217

29,016

12,948

100.0

8.8

26.1

22.6

21.5

21.0

53.4

46.6

67.8

9.1

5.6

3.1

14.4

5.5

29.2

39.5

25.8

84.8

15.2

X

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.4

0.3

0.5

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.4

3,351,175

1,619,651

603,933

348,261

315,848

463,482

929,535

2,421,640

1,657,245

565,072

229,914

137,766

761,178

706,177

1,198,766

1,185,088

261,144

1,022,881

2,328,294

36,362

26,453

17,507

12,443

9,799

10,829

17,326

30,843

19,836

16,417

8,956

7,343

18,772

14,618

22,170

18,303

9,096

19,793

31,236

100.0

48.3

18.0

10.4

9.4

13.8

27.7

72.3

49.5

16.9

6.9

4.1

22.7

21.1

35.8

35.4

7.8

30.5

69.5

X

0.6

0.4

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.4

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.5

0.4

0.4

0.5

0.3

0.5

0.5

3,350,996

959,552

694,889

455,843

468,955

771,757

1,670,931

1,680,065

2,072,085

374,885

169,817

110,991

623,218

280,990

983,805

1,375,092

711,109

1,714,265

1,636,731

37,798

18,763

18,921

11,888

10,868

13,074

21,630

27,118

22,756

11,651

7,960

5,812

16,717

9,005

17,955

24,332

14,997

25,676

23,851

100.0

28.6

20.7

13.6

14.0

23.0

49.9

50.1

61.8

11.2

5.1

3.3

18.6

8.4

29.4

41.0

21.2

51.2

48.8

X

0.5

0.5

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.4

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.4

0.5

0.5
6

U.S. Census Bureau

Table 1.Selected Characteristics of Retail Workers: 2018—Con.(Civilian employed, 16 years and over)

Characteristics 

Total Retail workers First-line supervisors of retail sales workers Cashiers Retail salespersons

Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±) Number

Margin of 

error1

(±)

Percent

Margin of 

error1

(±)

MARITAL STATUSMarried ..............Not married. . . . . . . . . .

HEALTH INSURANCE 

COVERAGE2

Any coverage ........

Employer-based ......

Direct purchase ......

Medicaid ............

Other ...............No coverage .........

81,040,21575,742,950

140,400,867

109,838,949

17,887,977

14,180,378

145,637

16,382,298

223,222161,816223,275

231,551

100,010

69,908

5,673

114,142

51.748.389.6

70.1

11.4

9.0

0.1

10.4

0.10.10.1

0.1

0.1

<0.1

<0.1

0.1

3,709,0426,127,2888,602,877

5,890,259

1,272,490

1,509,337

7,946

1,233,453

31,50050,71257,236

48,993

23,041

21,193

1,342

21,359

37.762.387.5

59.9

12.9

15.3

0.1

12.5

0.30.30.2

0.3

0.2

0.2

<0.1

0.2

1,672,0151,462,1442,842,186

2,217,157

412,607

244,254

1,798

291,973

19,01624,76229,062

28,136

13,185

8,982

637

11,447

53.346.790.7

70.7

13.2

7.8

0.1

9.3

0.50.50.3

0.6

0.4

0.3

<0.1

0.3

760,108

2,591,0672,812,338

1,632,978

374,315

843,818

1,169

538,837

14,959

32,25432,592

25,03910,906

18,423

625

12,846

22.7

77.383.9

48.711.2

25.2

<0.116.1

0.4

0.40.3

0.50.3

0.4

<0.1

0.3

1,276,919

2,074,0772,948,353

2,040,124

485,568

421,265

4,979

402,643

19,516

29,71534,028

28,697

11,089

10,795

1,068

12,521

38.1

61.988.0

60.9

14.5

12.6

0.1

12.0

0.5

0.50.3

0.5

0.3

0.3

<0.1

0.3

X Not applicable.

1 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger the margin of error is in relation to the size of the 

estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. 

2 People may have more than one type of coverage.

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.
U.S. Census Bureau 7

overrepresented in supervisory 

retail positions. Sixty-eight percent of first-line supervisors of 

retail sales workers were nonHispanic White, compared with 

62.2 percent of all retail workers. 

Conversely, Black and Hispanic 

workers were underrepresented 

in supervisory positions. Just 

under 1 in 10 first-line supervisors were Black, while 14.4 percent were Hispanic. 

Black and Hispanic employment 

in retail occupations has been 

growing since 2000, as has their 

overall workforce share (Figures 

3a and 3b). In 2018, 18.7 percent 

of retail workers were Hispanic, 

up from 10.4 percent in 2000. 

Around 10 percent of retail 

workers were Black in 2000, 

which slightly increased to 12.5 

percent in 2018. In contrast, nonHispanic Whites’ share of retail 

workers decreased during the 

same period, from 74.5 percent 

in 2000 to 59.5 percent in 2018. 

ECONOMIC 

CHARACTERISTICS

Work Status 

Retail workers were less likely 

to work full-time, year-round 

compared with the total labor 

force.16 In 2018, 54.9 percent of 

retail workers were employed 

full-time, year-round, compared 

with 70.9 percent of all workers. 

Full-time status varied greatly by 

detailed retail occupations. Firstline supervisors of retail sales 

workers had the highest percentage of full-time, year-round 

workers (84.8 percent), followed 

by retail salespersons (51.2 

percent). Under one-third (30.5 

16 Full-time, year-round workers include 

all people 16 years old and over who usually 

worked 35 hours or more per week for 50 

to 52 weeks in the past 12 months.

percent) of cashiers worked fulltime, year-round in 2018. 

Health Insurance Coverage and 

Poverty Status 

For many working-age adults, 

health insurance coverage and 

type of coverage are related to 

work status.17, 18 Health insurance 

coverage is common for most 

workers, including retail workers. In 2018, among all workers, 

about 9 out of 10 had some 

type of public or private health 

insurance coverage at the time 

of interview. About 88 percent 

of all retail workers had some 

form of health insurance. Firstline supervisors were more likely 

to be covered by health insurance (90.7 percent) than retail 

salespersons (88.0 percent) or 

cashiers (83.9 percent). 

Similar to the general workforce, the most common type 

of health insurance among all 

retail workers was employerbased insurance, covering 

59.9 percent of this workforce. 

First-line supervisors were more 

likely to have employer-based 

insurance (70.7 percent) than 

retail salespersons (60.9 percent) and cashiers (48.7 percent). Compared with other 

retail workers, cashiers were 

more likely to receive Medicaid, 

a government-based health 

insurance plan for low-income 

people. In 2018, 25.2 percent 

of cashiers were covered by 

Medicaid, compared with 12.6 

17 Edward R. Berchick, Jessica C. 

Barnett, and Rachel D. Upton, “Health 

Insurance Coverage in the United States: 

2018” Current Population Reports, P60-267, 

U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, 2019. 18 Health insurance coverage is the 

coverage at the time of interview. The ACS 

is conducted throughout the year, and the 

resulting measure of health insurance coverage reflects an annual average of current 

health insurance coverage status. People 

may have more than one type of coverage.

percent of retail salespersons 

and 7.8 percent of first-line 

supervisors of retail workers. 

The higher rates of Medicaid 

coverage among cashiers may 

be related to several factors. For 

example, cashiers were more 

likely to work part-time (Table 

1) and were more likely to be 

in poverty (Figure A-1).19 These 

factors may limit their eligibility 

for employer-provided health 

insurance or make them less 

financially able to purchase it. 

Furthermore, workers with low 

total income may qualify for 

government health care plans.20

Median Earnings of Retail 

Workers 

With 9.8 million workers, retail 

occupations are some of the 

most common occupations in 

the United States. Yet, these 

occupations are often low-paying and offer limited opportunities for advancement.21 Figure 

4 shows the median earnings of 

full-time, year-round workers by 

detailed retail occupation and 

selected characteristics. 

Women consistently earned 

less than men across detailed 

retail sales occupations. In 2018, 

women who worked full-time, 

year-round as first-line supervisors of retail sales workers had 

19 Poverty statistics in ACS products adhere to standards specified by 

the Office of Management and Budget 

and in Statistical Policy Directive 14. 

For more information, see page 107 of 

“American Community Survey and Puerto 

Rico Community Survey 2018 Subject 

Definitions” at <www.census.gov

/programs-surveys/acs/technical

-documentation/code-lists.html>. 20 Government Accountability Office, 

“Low-wage Workers: Poverty and Use 

of Selected Federal Social Safety Net 

Programs Persist among Working Families,” 

GAO-17-677, Washington, DC, 2017. 21 Liana Christin Landivar and Julia 

Beckhusen, “Racial Disparities in Women’s 

Mobility out of Retail and Service 

Occupations,” SEHSD Working Paper 2019-

03, Washington, DC, 2019. 
Figure 3b.

Distribution of Retail Workers by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2000, 2010, and 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and 2010 and 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

5

8

14

17

White, not Hispanic

Hispanic

Black, not Hispanic

Asian, not Hispanic

Other race, not Hispanic

74.5

65.6

59.5

10.4

15.1

18.7

9.4

11.1

12.5

4.2

5.4

5.9

1.5

3.5

2.7

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over) 2000

2010

2018

8 U.S. Census Bureau

Figure 3a.

Distribution of Total Employment by Race and Hispanic Origin: 2000, 2010, and 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and 2010 and 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

5

8

14

17

White, not Hispanic

Hispanic

Black, not Hispanic

Asian, not Hispanic

Other race, not Hispanic

74.2

67.3

62.2

10.8

14.9

17.5

9.9

10.5

11.4

3.8

5.1

6.1

1.4

2.9

2.2

(In percent. Civilian employed, 16 years and over) 2000

2010

2018
U.S. Census Bureau 9

median earnings of $36,166, 

compared with men at $50,319. 

Female cashiers and retail 

salespersons earned $21,664 

and $29,246, respectively, 

compared with male cashiers 

and retail salespersons who had 

median earnings of $24,477 and 

$40,600, respectively.

Earning differences persist by 

race and Hispanic-origin. Some 

of the biggest gaps were among 

retail salespersons. Hispanic and 

Black retail salespersons earned 

about $10,000 less per year 

compared with White workers 

in the same occupation. Among 

full-time, year-round workers, White retail salespersons’ 

median earnings were $39,665, 

compared with $28,896 for 

Hispanics. The earnings gap was 

narrower among first-line supervisors of retail sales workers. 

Whites earned the most among 

this occupation group ($45,453), 

compared with $37,374 for 

Hispanics and $37,503 for Black 

first-line supervisors of retail 

sales workers. 

Even within the same retail 

occupation, more education 

could lead to higher median 

earnings for full-time, year-round 

workers. For example, first-line 

supervisors of retail workers 

with a bachelor’s degree earned 

over $15,000 more per year 

than those with a high school 

degree ($55,011 and $37,375, 

respectively). Some of this variation may be attributed to age, 

and some employers may want 

candidates for supervisory positions to have a college degree.22

The median earnings of cashiers 

was around 45 percent less than 

those of all full-time, year-round 

workers, ($22,109 and $48,565, 

respectively). First-line supervisors of retail sales workers were 

among the highest-earning retail 

occupations, but only first-line 

supervisors of retail workers 

with a college degree and male 

supervisors earned more than 

the median for all workers in 

2018. 

Between 2000 and 2018, 

the real median earnings for 

full-time, year-round workers 

22 BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 

see “Retail Sales Workers,” <www.bls.gov 

/ooh/>.

Bachelor's degree or more

Some college

(includes associate's degree)

High school graduate

(includes equivalency)

Less than high school graduate

Hispanic

Other race, not Hispanic

Asian, not Hispanic

Black, not Hispanic

White, not Hispanic

Women

Men

All retail workers1

24,477 40,600 50,319

21,664 36,166

22,447 39,665 45,453

20,407 37,503

25,256 45,271

22,281 37,239

21,955 37,374

20,595 26,654 32,415

21,847 31,059 37,375

22,179 34,251 42,141

26,787 50,793 55,011

22,109 35,301 42,421

29,246

30,420

31,948

31,742

28,896

Cashiers Retail salespersons First-line supervisors of retail sales workers 

Figure 4.

Median Earnings for Full-Time, Year-Round Retail Workers by Selected Characteristics: 2018 

1

 The median earnings for all full-time, year-round workers in 2018 was $48,565. 

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over, with earnings in dollars)
10 U.S. Census Bureau

decreased by less than $500, 

from $49,034 to $48,565, 

respectively (Figure 5).23 The 

median earnings for selected 

retail occupations also declined 

during the same period. The 

median earnings of first-line 

supervisors of retail sales workers decreased from $46,711 in 

2000 to $42,421 in 2018. The 

median earnings of retail salespersons and cashiers decreased 

from $40,162 and $25,157 in 

2000, respectively, to $35,300 

and $22,109 in 2018.

23 Estimates in this report are inflationadjusted to 2018 dollars. “Real” refers to 

earnings after adjusting for inflation.

RETAIL WORKERS BY 

INDUSTRY 

Industry refers to the kind of 

business conducted by a person’s employing organization. 

Some occupation groups are 

related closely to certain industries.24 Retail workers are primarily employed in two industries. In 

2018, over 8 out of every 10 retail 

workers worked in the retail trade 

industry (Figure 6). The retail 

24 Written responses to industry questions on the ACS are coded using the 

industry classification system developed 

for the census in 2010, modified in 2012, 

and again in 2017. The Census Industry 

Classification system was developed from 

the North American Industry Classification 

System (NAICS). This Census Industry Code 

list consists of 269 categories for employed 

people, including military, classified into 20 

sectors.

trade sector comprises establishments engaged in retailing merchandise, primarily through physical retail store locations. Just 

over 1 million, or 10.8 percent of, 

retail workers were employed 

in the arts, entertainment, and 

recreation, and accommodation 

and food services.25 These two 

industries combined accounted 

for 96.0 percent of retail workers. Retail salespersons (95.3 

percent), first-line supervisors of 

retail workers (94.5 percent), and 

cashiers (66.4 percent) were well 

distributed across the retail trade 

industry. In contrast, 27.8 percent 

of cashiers were employed in the 

arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and 

food services industry, while 1.6 

percent of first-line supervisors 

and 2.5 percent of retail salespersons were employed in this 

sector. 

Given that well over a majority 

of retail workers are in the retail 

trade industry, the next section 

examines how retail workers are 

distributed across a sector that 

comprises both retail and nonretail stores. Additionally, this section examines how the numbers 

of retail workers across this sector has changed over time.

25 The arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food 

services industry includes a wide range of 

establishments that operate facilities or 

provide services to meet varied cultural, 

entertainment, lodging, food services, and 

recreation interests of their patrons. For 

more information, see <www.census.gov 

/eos/www/naics/>.

Figure 5.

Median Earnings for Full-Time, Year-Round Retail Workers 

in 2018 Inflation-Adjusted Dollars: 2000 and 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and 

2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

Total employed

$49,034

2000

First-line supervisors

of retail sales workers

$46,711

Retail salespersons

$40,162

Cashiers

$25,157

$48,565

$35,301

$42,421

$22,109

2018

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over, with earnings)
U.S. Census Bureau 11

Figure 7 shows the number 

of retail workers by selected 

detailed retail trade industries in 

2010 and 2018. Around 1.3 million retail workers worked in grocery stores in 2010, not statistically different from the number 

of workers in 2018. However, 

the count of retail workers who 

worked in general merchandise 

stores, including warehouse 

clubs and supercenters, dropped 

from over 1.1 million to around 

865,000, amounting to a loss 

of over 280,000 retail workers. 

In contrast, the number of retail 

workers in department stores 

increased from around 389,000 

retail workers in 2010 to about 

535,000 retail workers in 2018. 

Research suggests that e-commerce will assume a larger role 

in the retail sector, particularly 

the electronic shopping and 

mail-order houses industry.26, 27

26 The electronic shopping and mailhouse industry comprises establishments 

primarily engaged in retailing all types of 

merchandise using nonstore means, such 

as catalogs, toll-free telephone numbers, or 

electronic media such as interactive television or the Internet. For more information, 

see <www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/>. 27 Michael Mandel, “How Ecommerce 

Creates Jobs and Reduces Income 

Inequality,” Progressive Policy Institute, 

Washington, DC, 2017.

Data from the ACS show that 

the number of retail workers in 

electronic shopping increased 

from 63,000 in 2010 to around 

129,000 in 2018. However, retail 

workers were still more likely to 

be employed in retail industries 

most associated with brick-andmortar retail locations such as 

book stores and news dealers; 

gift, novelty, and souvenir shops; 

and clothing stores. 

Figure 6.

Percentage of Retail Workers by Selected Industry Groups: 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over)

1.6

Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and 

accommodation and food services

27.8

66.4

2.5

10.8

All retail

workers

First-line

supervisors of

retail sales workers

Cashiers

Retail

salespersons

95.3

85.2

94.5

Retail trade
12 U.S. Census Bureau

SUMMARY 

Although retail workers comprised only three detailed 

occupations, they accounted 

for 6.3 percent of the total labor 

force, or 9.8 million workers. 

The majority of retail workers 

had a younger age profile, were 

less likely to hold a bachelor’s 

degree, and were less likely to 

work full-time, year-round when 

compared with the total labor 

force. 

Of retail workers, women on 

average earned less than men, 

and also were less likely to serve 

in supervisory positions. Black 

and Hispanic workers were 

overrepresented in cashier jobs, 

which were the lowest paying 

jobs in retail. In contrast, nonHispanic White retail workers 

were overrepresented in supervisory retail positions, the highest paying jobs in retail (albeit 

declining over the past decade). 

Although health insurance coverage was common for retail 

workers, cashiers were more 

likely to receive Medicaid (a 

government-based health insurance plan for low-income people), which could be attributed 

to the fact that cashiers were 

more likely to work part-time 

and more likely to have incomes 

below the poverty threshold. 

Retail occupations are among 

the lowest-paying jobs, with limited opportunities for advancement. The continued growth 

of retail workers over the past 

decade, coupled with their number, confirms the essential need 

to understand the nature and 

quality of these jobs.

Figure 7.

Retail Workers by Selected Retail Industries: 2010 and 2018

Note: Industry data from 2010 was converted to the 2017 Census Industry Code list to make them comparable over time. 

For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 and 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

(In thousands. Civilian employed, 16 years and over)

2018

2010

Florists

Household appliance stores

Oce supplies and stationery stores

Book stores and news dealers

Gift, novelty, and souvenir shops

Hardware stores

Electronic shopping and mail-order houses

Health and personal care, except drug stores

Pharmacies and drug stores

Furniture and home furnishings stores

Gasoline stations

Automobile dealers

Building material and supplies dealers

Department stores

Clothing stores

General merchandise stores, including

warehouse clubs and supercenters

Grocery stores

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400

32

20

40

25

89

61

111

66

125

102

143

124

63

129

162

221

296

262

271

279

271

357

399

462

460

528

389

535

730

734

1,150

865

1,340

1,332

.
U.S. Census Bureau 13

SOURCE OF THE ESTIMATES

The ACS is a nationwide survey 

designed to provide communities with reliable and timely 

demographic, social, economic, 

and housing data for the nation, 

states, congressional districts, 

counties, places, and other 

localities every year. It has an 

annual sample size of about 

3.5 million addresses across 

the United States and Puerto 

Rico and includes both housing 

units and group quarters (e.g., 

nursing facilities and prisons). 

The ACS is conducted in every 

county throughout the nation, 

and every municipio in Puerto 

Rico, where it is called the 

Puerto Rico Community Survey. 

Beginning in 2005, ACS data 

have been released annually for 

geographic areas with populations of 65,000 and greater. For 

information on the ACS sample 

design and other topics, visit 

<www.census.gov/acs>.

ACCURACY OF THE 

ESTIMATES 

Data presented in this brief are 

based on people and households that responded to the ACS 

in 2018 and are subject to sampling and nonsampling error. All 

comparisons presented in this 

report have taken sampling error 

into account and are significant 

at the 90 percent confidence 

level, unless otherwise noted. 

Due to rounding, some details 

may not sum to totals. For information on sampling and estimation methods, confidentiality 

protection, and sampling and 

nonsampling errors, please see 

the “ACS Accuracy of the Data” 

document at <www.census.gov 

/programs-surveys/acs

/technical-documentation

/code-lists.html>. 

CONTACT

For questions related to the 

contents of this report and the 

accompanying tables, contact 

the authors:

D. Augustus Anderson

<Donovan.Augustus.Anderson

@census.gov>

Lynda Laughlin 

<Lynda.L.Laughlin@census.gov>

Industry and Occupation 

Statistics Branch 

Social, Economic, and Housing 

Statistics Division 

U.S. Census Bureau

(301) 763-3239

SUGGESTED CITATION 

Anderson, D. Augustus, and 

Lynda Laughlin, “Retail Workers: 

2018,” American Community 

Survey Reports, ACS-44, 

U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, 

DC, 2020. 
14 U.S. Census Bureau

Appendix Figure A-1.

Percentage of Workers in Poverty by Selected Retail 

Occupations: 2018

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.

(Civilian labor force, 16 years and over)

10.1

9.0

16.7

4.1

2.5

Total 6.0

Retail workers

Retail salespersons

Cashiers

First-line supervisors

of retail sales workers

Appendex Table A-1. 

Median Earnings for Full-Time, Year-Round Retail Workers by Selected Characteristics: 2018

(Civilian employed, 16 years and over)

Characteristics

Median earnings (dollars)1

First-line 

supervisors 

of retail 

sales 

workers

Margin of 

error2

(±) Cashiers 

Margin of 

error2

(±)

Retail 

salespersons

Margin of 

error2

(±)

    TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,421 275 22,109 195 35,301 334

SEX

Male ....................................... 50,319 302 24,477 739 40,600 361

Female ..................................... 36,166 340 21,664 191 29,246 571

RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN

White, not Hispanic .......................... 45,453 319 22,447 329 39,665 824

Black, not Hispanic .......................... 37,503 1,753 20,407 469 30,420 738

Asian, not Hispanic .......................... 45,271 2,365 25,256 780 31,948 823

Other race, not Hispanic ..................... 37,239 1,189 22,281 1,176 31,742 1,137

Hispanic .................................... 37,374 994 21,955 320 28,896 1,069

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Less than high school graduate ............... 32,415 1,149 20,595 435 26,654 1,252

High school graduate (includes equivalency) ... 37,375 497 21,847 257 31,059 416

Some college (includes associate degree) ...... 42,141 323 22,179 276 34,251 849

Bachelor’s degree or more ................... 55,011 1,229 26,787 653 50,793 612

1

 The median earnings for all full-time, year-round workers in 2018 was $48,565 with a margin of error of 125.

2 Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. A margin of error is a measure of an estimate’s variability. The larger 

the margin of error is in relation to the size of the estimates, the less reliable the estimate. When added to and subtracted from the estimate, the 

margin of error forms the 90 percent confidence interval. 

Note: For more information, visit <www.census.gov/acs>.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey, 1-Year Estimates.