Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
SOC: 41-2031.00
Common Job Titles
Sales AssociateSales ClerkSales ConsultantSales Person
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generatedKey competencies for this occupation at a glance
- MindsetIntegrate conflict resolution strategies with customer service principles when negotiating returns, exchanges, or service complaints to maintain customer satisfaction.Proficient
- MindsetEngage customers to identify needs and recommend appropriate merchandise in retail environments, building rapport through active listening and social perceptiveness.Developing
- KnowledgeApply persuasion and negotiation techniques to close sales while addressing customer objections and offering value-added solutions.Developing
- KnowledgeExplain product features, benefits, and pricing to customers using sales and marketing knowledge across diverse merchandise categories.Developing
- MindsetRespond to customer inquiries and concerns with service-oriented professionalism, establishing and maintaining positive interpersonal relationships in high-traffic retail settings.Developing
- Hands-onOperate point-of-sale systems, barcode scanners, and credit card processing equipment to complete transactions accurately and efficiently.Developing
- KnowledgeAssess inventory levels and merchandise displays, monitoring stock availability and arranging products to maximize customer appeal.Developing
- KnowledgeAnalyze customer preferences and purchasing behavior to identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities that meet individual needs.Developing
- Hands-onHandle merchandise for display, inventory management, and customer presentation, maintaining product quality and store organization standards.Developing
- KnowledgeApply product knowledge and industry trends by updating and using relevant knowledge to provide expert recommendations to customers.Developing
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Retail Salespersons (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
3,800,250
Wage Distribution by Percentile
| Metric | U.S. |
|---|---|
| 10% of workers earn the following or less | $25,600 |
| 10% of workers earn the following or more | $47,930 |
| Workers on average earn | $37,150 |
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
- Sales and Marketing4.5/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
In-Demand Technology
Frequently requested by employers in job postings
Adobe AcrobatAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopApple macOSAutodesk AutoCADEclipse IDEFacebookGoogle DocsIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft DynamicsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOracle PeopleSoftSAP softwareSalesforce software
Technology Skills
ASI Point of SaleAdvanced Retail Management Systems Retail ProAmerican Precision Instruments RegitAttitude POS itive AccuPOS RetailBibase 4POS RetailBlinkCAP Automation SellWiseComcash ERP
Tools & Equipment
Adjustable widemouth pliersAdjustable wrenchesBarcode scannersCash registersClothing ironsClothing steamersComputerized cash registersCredit card processing machines