Occupation · SOC 41-2031
Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Median wage
$34,580
$25,600–$47,930
Projected growth
-0.5%
Declining
Annual openings
-1,960
per year
Employed (US)
3,800,250
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
6 mapped
Core skills
PersuasionSpeakingService OrientationActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationCritical ThinkingWritingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingComplex Problem SolvingMathematicsLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignTroubleshootingOperations AnalysisProgrammingScienceRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Sales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementMathematicsAdministrativePsychologyComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingCommunications and MediaPublic Safety and SecurityEconomics and AccountingProduction and ProcessingTelecommunicationsDesignLaw and GovernmentTransportationEngineering and TechnologySociology and AnthropologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesMechanicalMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageFine ArtsTherapy and CounselingGeographyPhilosophy and TheologyBuilding and ConstructionChemistryPhysicsFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyBiology
Technology & tools
ASI Point of SaleAdobe AcrobatAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAdvanced Retail Management Systems Retail ProAmerican Precision Instruments RegitApple macOSAttitude POS itive AccuPOS RetailAutodesk AutoCADBibase 4POS RetailBlinkCAP Automation SellWiseComcash ERPCompuTant CounterPointCyberMatrixData entry softwareDatabase softwareDatasym SYMFINITEEZ Software SolutionsEclipse IDEExact business softwareFacebookFileMaker ProGift registry softwareGoogle DocsGoogle DriveGoogle MeetGroupMeHandheld computer device softwareIBM NotesInfocorp Computer Solutions $mart SystemInfocorp Softwear/POSInternet browser softwareIntuit QuickBooksInventory management systemsLOB RetailPointLinkedInLogisoft Positive Pos System
Representative tasks
Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing OthersGetting InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeWorking with ComputersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkProcessing InformationThinking CreativelyAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping and Building TeamsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Product locations and basic merchandise knowledge — learn and recall under a senior associate's coaching on a small-format sales floor.Point-of-sale system basics — operate to process common transactions under shift-manager oversight.Customer greetings and store-script openers — deliver consistently within the first 30 seconds of customer entry.Loss-prevention awareness — recognize common shoplifting cues and escalate to a manager rather than confronting.Returns and exchanges within policy — process accurately on routine items at the register.Restocking and facing — maintain to the planogram during slow periods on an assigned section.Price tags and signage — apply correctly during sale-rollout days under supervision.Cash-handling basics (counts, deposits, change) — perform reliably at shift open and close.Personal protective behaviors (allergens, lifting limits, ladder safety) — follow consistently across the shift.Manager call-outs (price overrides, complex returns) — escalate appropriately rather than guessing.
developing
Multiple departments on the sales floor — cover routinely on a moderate-volume day.Suggestive selling and add-on attachments — apply naturally on common transactions to lift basket size.Product knowledge across the assigned department — answer specific questions without checking with a senior.Customer objections and price-comparison questions — handle confidently using store-trained responses.Inventory cycle counts on assigned aisles — execute accurately and flag discrepancies.Schedule swaps, breaks, and shift handoffs — coordinate within the team without manager involvement.New hires on the floor — buddy with on basics during their first two weeks.Promotional setup and seasonal resets — execute to plan within an assigned section.Loyalty program enrollments and credit applications — pitch and process per company training.Light visual merchandising (end caps, mannequins) — refresh per the corporate guide on a routine day.
proficient
Big-ticket sales (appliances, furniture, electronics over $500) — close consistently against monthly targets.Customer complaints and difficult returns — resolve to satisfaction without escalating to a manager.New product launches in the department — learn quickly and become the floor's go-to within a week.Cross-trained coverage across most departments — work effectively on any assigned floor.Shift opening and closing procedures — run autonomously as a key-holder.Floor team during a peak rush — coordinate priorities (registers, fitting rooms, restock) without a manager present.Visual merchandising for the department — execute corporate directives with creative latitude.Performance feedback for newer hires — provide substantive observations to the assistant manager.Inventory variances and root-cause investigation — identify and recommend process fixes.Stretch goals and SPIFFs — design micro-incentives for the team on a quiet shift.
advanced
Department revenue and conversion targets — own as department lead across a full quarter.Hiring, scheduling, and discipline for a team of 6–15 — manage with the assistant manager.Loss-prevention investigations — partner with corporate LP on internal and external cases.Visual merchandising across the store — set standards and audit execution.Vendor partnerships and in-store demo events — plan and run end-to-end.Store-level inventory ordering and shrink management — own with the buyer and store manager.Customer-experience metrics (NPS, mystery shop) — interpret and translate into team coaching.Crisis-moment leadership (POS down, fire alarm, irate customer) — lead through with composure.Talent development — identify high-potentials and coach them toward keyholder and supervisor roles.Store operations during the manager's absence — run a full shift with full P&L accountability.
Also known as
131 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Art DealerArt Objects SalespersonAuto DealerAutomobile Accessories SalespersonAutomobile SalesmanAutomobiles SalespersonAutomotive SalespersonBakery ClerkBargain Table ClerkBeauty AdvisorBeauty ConsultantBeauty CounselorBoats and Marine Supplies Sales RepresentativeBooks SalespersonCar DealerCar SalesmanCar SalespersonChina and Silverware SalespersonCigarette SellerClothierClothing ConsultantCommission Sales AssociateCorsets SalespersonCosmetic ConsultantCosmetic CounselorCosmetics and Toiletries SalespersonCoupon Redemption ClerkCurtains and Draperies SalespersonCustomer AssistantDairy ClerkDepartment Store SalespersonDesign ConsultantDrapery CounselorDrapery EstimatorDry Goods ClerkElectric Motors SalespersonFashion ConsultantFitting Room AssociateFloor ClerkFloor Coverings Salesperson