What does a retail salesperson do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Retail sales workers sell merchandise such as furniture, vehicles, appliances or apparel to customers, and they also sell spare and replacement parts. No formal education is typically required. BLS reports a median pay of $35,560 per year (May 2025).
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| SOC code | 41-2031 |
| O*NET code | 41-2031.00, 41-2022.00 |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Median annual wage | $35,560 per year (May 2025) |
| Projected growth | Little or no change, 2025 to 2035 |
| Number of jobs | 4,271,400 (2025) |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, accessed 31 October 2026.
What does a retail salesperson do?
BLS says retail sales workers welcome shoppers and offer help, suggest products that fit their needs, explain how products work, answer questions, demonstrate products when relevant, total purchases and process payment, share details on sales, promotions and return policies, and sometimes stock shelves, arrange deliveries or track inventory.
Work environment
Retail sales workers usually work in clean, well-lit stores. Most are full time, with some evening and weekend shifts. General merchandise retailers employ 20 percent of retail salespersons and clothing, shoe and jewelry retailers 17 percent.
Education, training and licensing
BLS says education is usually not required, though some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent, and most workers learn on the job over a few days to a few months. Some states license certain roles, such as car salespersons, which may require an exam or background check.
Skills that matter
BLS lists customer-service skills, interpersonal skills, math skills, persistence and persuasion as important qualities for this work.
How much does a retail salesperson make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $35,560 for retail sales workers (May 2025). The median is the wage at which half of workers earned more and half earned less. See the OOH pay tab and the OEWS data for your area. Our guide to researching pay explains how to read the figures.
Job outlook
BLS projects little or no change in employment of retail sales workers from 2025 to 2035. Even so, about 550,600 openings are projected each year on average. BLS says most openings come from replacing workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force, for example to retire.
How to get hired
- Show customer service and sales results with numbers, such as items sold or return customers.
- Show results on your resume: the tools you used, the volume you handled and the outcomes, without private customer or employer details.
- If you lack experience, see the no-experience resume guide.
- Practice with the interview prep hub.
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Sales representatives, Sales managers, Customer service representatives, Insurance sales agents.
Frequently asked questions
Do retail sales jobs need a degree? No. BLS says education is usually not required, though some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent.
Do car salespeople need a license? BLS says some states license certain roles, such as car salespersons, which may require an exam or background check.
How much do retail sales workers make? BLS reports a median annual wage of $35,560 for retail sales workers (May 2025). Half of workers earned more and half earned less. Pay varies by employer, region and experience.
Is retail salesperson a good career? BLS projects little or no change in employment from 2025 to 2035. About 550,600 openings are projected each year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, so read the duties and work environment above.
Related guides
- What Does a Sales Representative Do? Pay, Outlook
- What Does a Sales Manager Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
- Customer Service Representative: Duties, Pay, Outlook
- What Does an Insurance Sales Agent Do? Duties, Pay, Outlook
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Retail sales workers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/retail-sales-workers.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 41-2031.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-2031.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, 41-2022.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-2022.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.