Retail Salespersons Salary in California
Retail Salespersons in California earn a median annual wage of $38,440 —8.6% above the national median of $35,410. That ranks CA #3 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.82× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for retail salespersons
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $39,560 | $19.02 | 84,850 | 0.95 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $38,500 | $18.51 | 4,660 | 0.26 |
| 3 | California | $38,440 | $18.48 | 376,460 | 0.82 |
| 4 | Colorado | $37,950 | $18.25 | 76,660 | 1.06 |
| 5 | Hawaii | $37,790 | $18.17 | 19,180 | 1.22 |
| 6 | New York | $37,720 | $18.13 | 238,540 | 0.98 |
| 7 | Vermont | $37,400 | $17.98 | 8,250 | 1.08 |
| 8 | Alaska | $37,290 | $17.93 | 7,890 | 0.97 |
| 9 | Oregon | $36,770 | $17.68 | 48,090 | 0.98 |
| 10 | Maine | $36,640 | $17.61 | 18,450 | 1.15 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Cashiers | $37,100 | $32,880 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $80,850 | $69,990 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $76,490 | $72,080 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $54,870 | $48,520 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $79,730 | $78,660 |
| Insurance Sales Agents | $76,120 | $62,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do retail salespersons make in California?
The median annual wage for retail salespersons in California is $38,440, or $18.48 per hour. That is 8.6% above the national median of $35,410.
What is the entry-level retail salespersons salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,240 per year ($16.94/hour). The 25th percentile is $36,350.
How many people work as retail salespersons in California?
About 376,460 people work in this occupation in California, or 20.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for retail salespersons?
California ranks #3 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.82x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays retail salespersons the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $39,560 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($38,500) and California ($38,440).