All About Retail Salespersons
Retail Salesperson Example Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
List of Retail Salesperson Job Duties
- Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
- Help customers try on or fit merchandise.
- Clean shelves, counters, and tables.
- Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
- Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
- Estimate quantity and cost of merchandise required, such as paint or floor covering.
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Skills Needed to be a Retail Salesperson
Retail Salespersons state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Types of Retail Salesperson
- Surgical Corsetier
- Horticultural and Nursery Products Salesperson
- Sales Associate
- Retail Clerk
- Wallpaper Consultant
Retail Salesperson Employment Estimates
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.
Retail Salesperson Salary
The salary for Retail Salespersons ranges between about $18,400 and $41,530 a year.
Retail Salespersons who work in District of Columbia, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Retail Salespersons make in each U.S. state?
| 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 & Technology do Retail Salespersons Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Retail Salespersons:
- 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
Becoming a Retail Salesperson
Education needed to be a Retail Salesperson:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Retail Salespersons Work
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
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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