Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Retail sales workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most retail sales workers learn on the job. PayThe median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $18.57 in May 2025.The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $17.03 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 550,600 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $18.57 in May 2025.The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $17.03 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 550,600 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 550,600 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Retail sales workers sell merchandise, spare and replacement parts, and equipment to customers.
Work Environment
Retail sales workers usually work in clean, well-lit stores. Most are employed full time. Schedules may vary, with evening and weekend work required in some jobs.
How to Become a Retail Sales Worker
Retail sales workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most retail sales workers learn on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $18.57 in May 2025.
The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $17.03 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 550,600 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Retail sales workers usually work in clean, well-lit stores. Most are employed full time. Schedules may vary, with evening and weekend work required in some jobs.
How to Become a Retail Sales Worker
Retail sales workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most retail sales workers learn on the job.
Pay
The median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $18.57 in May 2025.
The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $17.03 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 550,600 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.