### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Retail Sales Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			retail sales workers imageRetail sales workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.							
						Quick Facts:     Retail Sales Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$33,900     per year
										$16.30     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    No formal educational credentialWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    4,031,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    -2% (Decline)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    -76,600What Retail Sales Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Retail sales workers help customers find products they want and process customers’ payments.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most retail sales workers work in clean, well-lit stores. Many sales workers work evenings and weekends. Some retail salespersons work part time.
            
                                                How to Become a Retail Sales Worker
                                                
                        
Typically, there are no formal education requirements for retail sales workers. Most receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months.
            
                        Pay
                        																																					    														The median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $17.72 in May 2023.									                                														The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $16.19 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of retail sales workers is projected to decline							 2 percent from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite declining  employment, about 563,000 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Retail Sales Workers Do 
            

			Retail sales workersRetail sales workers maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions.			
Retail sales workers help customers find products they want and process customers’ payments. There are two types of retail sales workers: retail salespersons, who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles; and parts salespersons, who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts.
Duties
Retail sales workers typically do the following:
Greet customers and offer them assistance
Recommend merchandise based on customers’ wants and needs
Explain the use and benefit of merchandise to customers
Answer customers’ questions
Show how merchandise works, if applicable
Add up customers’ total purchases and accept payment
Inform customers about current sales, promotions, and policies about payments and exchangesThe following are examples of types of retail sales workers:
***Retail salespersons*** work in stores where they sell goods, such as books, cars, clothing, cosmetics, electronics, furniture, lumber, plants, shoes, and many other types of merchandise.
In addition to helping customers find and select items to buy, many retail salespersons process the payment for the sale, which typically involves operating cash registers.
After taking payment for the purchases, retail salespersons may bag or package the purchases.
Depending on the hours they work, retail salespersons may have to open or close cash registers. This includes counting the money in the register and separating charge slips, coupons, and exchange vouchers. They may also make deposits at a cash office.
For information about other workers who receive and disburse money, see the profile on cashiers.
In addition, retail salespersons may help stock shelves or racks, arrange for mailing or delivery of purchases, mark price tags, take inventory, and prepare displays.
For some retail sales jobs, particularly those involving expensive and complex items, retail sales workers need special knowledge or skills. For example, those who sell cars must be able to explain the features of various models, manufacturers’ specifications, different types of options on the car, financing available, and the details of associated warranties.
In addition, retail sales workers must recognize security risks and thefts and understand their organization’s procedures for handling thefts, which may include notifying security guards or calling police.
***Parts salespersons*** sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts. Most work in either automotive parts stores or automobile dealerships. They take customers’ orders, inform customers of part availability and price, and take inventory.
 Work Environment
			Retail sales workersRetail sales workers often stand for long periods and may need supervisory approval to leave the sales floor.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Parts salespersons held about 266,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of parts salespersons were as follows:
        Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers
                44%Automobile dealers
                21Wholesale trade
                20Repair and maintenance
                5Other motor vehicle dealers
                4Retail salespersons held about 3.8 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of retail salespersons were as follows:
        Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers
                17%General merchandise retailers
                17Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers
                15Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers
                13Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers
                8Most retail sales work is performed in clean, well-lit stores. Retail sales workers spend most of their time interacting with customers, answering questions, and assisting them with purchases.
Workers often stand for long periods and may need permission from a supervisor to leave the sales floor. If they sell items such as cars, plants, or lumberyard materials, they may work outdoors.
Work Schedules
Many sales workers work evenings and weekends, particularly during holidays and other peak sales periods. Because the end-of-year holiday season is often the busiest time for retail stores, many employers limit retail sales workers’ use of vacation time between November and the beginning of January.
Some retail salespersons work part time.
 How to Become a Retail Sales Worker

			Retail sales workersA friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers, as the job requires almost constant interaction with people.			
Typically, there are no formal education requirements for retail sales workers. Most receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months.
Education
Although retail or parts sales positions usually have no formal education requirements, some employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent, especially employers who sell technical products or “big-ticket” items, such as electronics or cars.
Training
Most retail sales workers receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months. In small stores, an experienced employee often trains newly hired workers. In large stores, training programs are more formal and usually conducted over several days.
During training sessions, topics often include customer service, security, the store’s policies and procedures, and how to operate the cash register.
Depending on the type of product they are selling, employees may be given additional specialized training. For example, salespersons working in cosmetics get instruction on the types of products the store offers and for whom the cosmetics would be most beneficial. Likewise, those who sell auto parts may be instructed on the technical functions of various parts, in addition to sales technique.
Because providing exceptional service to customers is a priority for many employers, employees often get periodic training to update and refine their skills.
Advancement
Retail sales workers typically have opportunities to advance to supervisory or managerial positions. Some employers want candidates for managerial positions to have a college degree.
As sales workers gain experience and seniority, they often move into positions that have greater responsibility and may be given their choice of departments in which to work. This opportunity often means moving to positions with higher potential earnings and commissions. The highest earnings potential usually involves selling “big-ticket” items, such as cars, jewelry, furniture, and electronics. These positions often require workers with extensive knowledge of the product and excellent sales skills.
Important Qualities
***Customer-service skills.*** Retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers. They should explain the product options available to customers and make appropriate recommendations.
***Interpersonal skills.*** A friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers because the job requires almost constant interaction with people.
***Math skills.***Retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers.
***Persistence.*** A large number of attempted sales may not be successful, so sales workers should not be discouraged easily. They must start each new sales attempt with a positive attitude.
***Selling skills.*** Retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers. They must clearly and effectively explain the benefits of the merchandise.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                        Retail Sales WorkersMedian hourly wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$23.11   Parts salespersons$17.72   Sales and related occupations$17.67   Retail sales workers$16.30   Retail salespersons$16.19Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $17.72 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $12.84, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $29.08.The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $16.19 in May 2023. 


The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.42, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $23.13.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median hourly wages for parts salespersons in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Wholesale trade
                $22.77Repair and maintenance
                22.00Automobile dealers
                19.29Other motor vehicle dealers
                18.34Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers
                14.76In May 2023, the median hourly wages for retail salespersons in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers
                $17.21Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers
                17.06General merchandise retailers
                16.19Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers
                14.88Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers
                14.48Compensation systems vary by type of establishment and merchandise sold. Retail sales workers get hourly wages, commissions, or a combination of the two. Under a commission system, they get a percentage of the sales they make. This system offers sales workers the opportunity to increase their earnings considerably, but they may find that their earnings depend strongly on their ability to sell their product and on the ups and downs of the economy. Commissions are most common for retail sales workers selling “big-ticket” items, such as cars or electronics.
Many retail sales workers work evenings and weekends, particularly during holidays and other peak sales periods. Because the end-of-year holiday season is often the busiest time for retail stores, many employers limit sales workers’ use of vacation time between November and the beginning of January.
Some retail salespersons work part time.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                       Retail Sales WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Parts salespersons1%  Retail sales workers-2%  Retail salespersons-2%  Sales and related occupations-3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of retail sales workers is projected to decline				 2 percent from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite declining  employment, about 563,000 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The increase in online sales is expected to continue over the projections decade, limiting growth in the number of physical retail stores and reducing demand for retail sales workers. Projected employment of retail sales workers varies by occupation (see table).
Competition from e-commerce is expected to reduce demand for retail salespersons. However, brick-and-mortar retail stores may increase their emphasis on customer service as a way to compete with online sellers. And cost pressures may lead retailers to hire workers who can perform a broad range of tasks, such as helping customers find items, operating a cash register, and restocking shelves. Because retail salespersons provide this versatile range of services, and because many consumers are still expected to visit physical stores, retail salespersons should continue to be needed to help customers and to complete sales.
Demand for car parts and parts salespersons is expected to continue as growing numbers of older cars require repairs. Moreover, demand for ride-hailing services has shifted some public transportation use back to automobiles services, further adding to the need for car parts in upkeep and maintenance, which should support demand for parts salespersons.
			

                        Employment projections data for     retail sales workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Retail sales workers**
			—
			4,031,700
			3,955,100
			-2
			-76,600
			—**Parts salespersons**
			41-2022
			266,100
			268,700
			1
			2,600
			Get data**Retail salespersons**
			41-2031
			3,765,600
			3,686,400
			-2
			-79,100
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Parts salespersons
					Retail salespersons **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of retail sales workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Cashiers**
            Cashiers process payments from customers purchasing goods and services.
            No formal educational credential
            $29,720**Customer Service Representatives**
            Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,680**Information Clerks**
            Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers.
            See How to Become One
            $40,540**Insurance Sales Agents**
            Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $59,080**Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents**
            Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $56,620**Sales Engineers**
            Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.
            Bachelor's degree
            $116,950**Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents**
            Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents connect buyers and sellers in financial markets.
            Bachelor's degree
            $76,900**Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives**
            Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations.
            See How to Become One
            $73,080**Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers**
            Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers.
            No formal educational credential
            $29,710**Sales Managers**
            Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams.
            Bachelor's degree
            $135,160
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about the retail industry, visit
National Retail Federation
Retail Industry Leaders Association
For more information about training for a career in automobile sales, visit
National Automobile Dealers Association
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Retail salespersons (PDF)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Parts SalespersonsRetail Salespersons
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Retail Sales Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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