Summary
![Retail sales workers](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20120917051322im_/http://www.bls.gov/ooh/images/p22-to-p23/p238-1-jpg.jpg)
Quick Facts: Retail Sales Workers | |
---|---|
$20,990 per year
$10.09 per hour |
|
Less than high school | |
None | |
See How to Become One | |
4,465,500 | |
17% (About as fast as average) | |
739,400 |
What Retail Sales Workers Do
Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts, (called parts salespersons). Both groups help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.
Work Environment
Most retail sales workers work in clean, comfortable, well-lit stores. Many sales workers work evenings and weekends. More than one-third of retail salespersons work part time.
How to Become a Retail Sales Worker
Typically, retail sales workers do not need a formal education. However, some employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Pay
The median hourly wage of retail salespersons was $9.94 in May 2010. The median hourly wage of parts salespersons was $13.88 in May 2010.
Job Outlook
Employment of retail salespersons is expected to grow 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment of parts salespersons is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many workers leave this occupation, which means there will be a large number of job openings. This large number of job openings combined with the large size of the occupation should result in many employment opportunities.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations.
O*NET
O*NET provides comprehensive information on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Contacts for More Information
Learn more about retail sales workers by contacting these additional resources.