Retail Salespersons · Washington

Retail Salespersons Salary in Washington

Retail Salespersons in Washington earn a median annual wage of $39,560 —11.7% above the national median of $35,410. That ranks WA #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$39,560
Median hourly
$19.02
Entry level (P10)
$35,860
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$54,660
90th percentile
Employment
84,850
23.9 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+11.7%
U.S. $35,410

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$35,860
$37,130
$39,560
$45,170
$35,860$39,560$54,660
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $39,560.

Employment concentration (0.95×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for retail salespersons

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Washington$39,560$19.0284,8500.95
2District of Columbia$38,500$18.514,6600.26
3California$38,440$18.48376,4600.82
4Colorado$37,950$18.2576,6601.06
5Hawaii$37,790$18.1719,1801.22
6New York$37,720$18.13238,5400.98
7Vermont$37,400$17.988,2501.08
8Alaska$37,290$17.937,8900.97
9Oregon$36,770$17.6848,0900.98
10Maine$36,640$17.6118,4501.15

Related occupations in Washington

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.

Frequently asked questions

How much do retail salespersons make in Washington?

The median annual wage for retail salespersons in Washington is $39,560, or $19.02 per hour. That is 11.7% above the national median of $35,410.

What is the entry-level retail salespersons salary in Washington?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,860 per year ($17.24/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,130.

How many people work as retail salespersons in Washington?

About 84,850 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 23.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Washington a good state for retail salespersons?

Washington ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.95x) is close to the national average.

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).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes