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Retail Trade
Industry Salary Overview
Store operations, e-commerce, and retail sales
retail stores shopping sales merchandise
Industry Statistics (2024)
15,607,040
Total Employment
$43,760
Average Wage
20
Top Occupations
32
Sub-Industries
Salary Distribution
10th Percentile
$27,270
25th Percentile
$30,800
Median (50th)
$36,200
75th Percentile
$45,840
90th Percentile
$63,780
Top Occupations by Employment
| Occupation | Employment | Median Wage | Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Occupations | 15,607,040 | $36,200 | $43,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,594,690 | $34,580 | $38,130 |
| Retail Sales Workers | 6,341,470 | $33,450 | $35,130 |
| Retail Salespersons | 3,445,820 | $34,550 | $37,020 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 2,945,130 | $35,990 | $37,270 |
| Cashiers | 2,620,020 | $31,200 | $31,840 |
| Cashiers | 2,619,890 | $31,200 | $31,840 |
| Material Moving Workers | 2,444,370 | $35,850 | $36,420 |
| Laborers and Material Movers | 2,404,550 | $35,770 | $36,240 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,829,910 | $35,910 | $36,400 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,257,000 | $38,500 | $42,610 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Sales Workers | 1,009,310 | $47,250 | $52,210 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 984,680 | $47,050 | $51,780 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 773,350 | $47,270 | $53,530 |
| Management Occupations | 641,580 | $78,420 | $102,820 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 581,680 | $46,460 | $70,480 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 573,330 | $35,130 | $35,570 |
| Information and Record Clerks | 542,920 | $36,420 | $38,250 |
| Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | 539,710 | $46,900 | $52,330 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 472,080 | $36,390 | $38,190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in retail trade?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (2024), the average annual wage in retail trade is $43,760. This varies by occupation and location.
How many people work in retail trade?
The retail trade sector employs approximately 15,607,040 workers nationally as of 2024.
What are the highest-paying jobs in retail trade?
Based on median wages, some of the top-paying occupations include All Occupations, Sales and Related Occupations, Retail Sales Workers, and others listed in the table above.
Related Sub-Industries
- 44--46 - Sectors 44 and 45 - Retail Trade
- 441000 - Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers
- 441100 - Automobile Dealers
- 441200 - Other Motor Vehicle Dealers
- 441300 - Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers
- 444000 - Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
- 444100 - Building Material and Supplies Dealers
- 444200 - Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers
- 445000 - Food and Beverage Retailers
- 4450A1 - Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only)
- 445300 - Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers
- 449000 - Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers
- 449100 - Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers
- 449200 - Electronics and Appliance Retailers
- 455000 - General Merchandise Retailers
- 456000 - Health and Personal Care Retailers
- 456100 - Health and Personal Care Retailers
- 456110 - Pharmacies and Drug Retailers
- 457000 - Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers
- 457100 - Gasoline Stations
- 457200 - Fuel Dealers
- 458000 - Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
- 458100 - Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers
- 458200 - Shoe Retailers
- 458300 - Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Retailers
- 459000 - Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers
- 4590A1 - Miscellaneous Store Retailers (4594 and 4595 only)
- 459100 - Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers
- 459110 - Sporting Goods Retailers
- 459200 - Book Retailers and News Dealers
- 459300 - Florists
- 459900 - Other Miscellaneous Retailers
Data Source
All salary and employment data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. Data represents 2024 annual averages. For methodology details, visit our methodology page.