Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
SOC: 41-2031.00
Common Job Titles
Sales Associate
Sales Clerk
Sales Consultant
Sales Person
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key 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
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $25,600. 25th percentile: U.S. $29,140. 50th percentile: U.S. $34,580. 75th percentile: U.S. $37,850. 90th percentile: U.S. $47,930. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
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
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
