Retail Salespersons Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,240
- 25th Percentile — Junior$36,350
- 50th Percentile — Median$38,440
- 75th Percentile — Senior$45,460
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$54,310
Half of Retail Salespersons in California earn more than $38,440. The top 10% make $54,310 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,240.
Retail Salespersons in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 51 states for Retail Salespersons pay, at $42,950 per year (15.1% above the U.S. average of $37,310).
- 376,460 people work as Retail Salespersons in California — 9.7% of all U.S. Retail Salespersons jobs.
- Location quotient 0.82: Retail Salespersons jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,240; the top 10% earn over $54,310.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.65 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Washington at $43,530.
- Among sales jobs in California, Securities Commodities Financial Services Sales pays the most ($105,570).
Retail Salespersons Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Retail Salespersons here earn $42,950 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $42,950 is roughly equivalent to $30,246 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($43,530), New York ($42,580), Vermont ($42,450) are the closest alternatives for Retail Salespersons weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Sales Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Securities Commodities Financial Services Sales $105,570/yr California +145.8% vs this role
- Insurance Sales Agents $93,660/yr California +118.1% vs this role
- Advertising Sales Agents $90,780/yr California +111.4% vs this role
- Sales Reps Wholesale and Manufacturing $88,460/yr California +106.0% vs this role
- Real Estate Agents $67,570/yr California +57.3% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $57,140/yr California +33.0% vs this role
- Travel Agents $55,120/yr California +28.3% vs this role
- Cashiers $40,060/yr California 6.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Retail Salespersons salary in California?
The average Retail Salespersons salary in California is $42,950 per year (median $38,440), which is 15.1% above the national average of $37,310.
How does California rank for Retail Salespersons pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($43,530/yr).
How much do entry-level Retail Salespersons make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Retail Salespersons in California earn about $35,240 per year and the 25th percentile is $36,350.
How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in California?
About $20.65 per hour, based on the $42,950 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Retail Salespersons work in California?
BLS counts 376,460 Retail Salespersons jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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