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Retail Sales Workers


Overview

Introduction

Retail sales workers assist customers with purchases by identifying their needs, showing or demonstrating merchandise, receiving payment, recording sales, and wrapping their purchases or arranging for their delivery. They are sometimes called sales clerks, retail clerks, or salespeople. There are more than 4.6 million retail salespersons employed in the United States.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$25,440

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Employment Prospects

Excellent

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma


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Experience

On-the-job training


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Skills

Interpersonal
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Personality Traits

Conventional
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Earnings

Most beginning sales workers start at the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour. Wages vary greatly, depending primarily on the type of store and the degree of skill required. Businesses might offer higher wages to attract and retain workers.

Department stores or retail chains might pay more than smaller stores. Higher wages are paid for positions requiring a greater degree of ski...

Work Environment

Retail sales workers generally work in clean, comfortable, well-lighted areas. Those with seniority have reasonably good job security. When business is slow, stores might curtail hiring and not fill vacancies that occur. Most stores, however, are able to weather mild recessions in business without having to release experienced sales workers. During periods of economic recession, competition amo...

Outlook

More than 4.6 million people are employed as sales workers in retail stores of all types and sizes. According to the Department of Labor (DOL), little or no employment change is expected for retail sales workers through 2029 as competition from online sales and a shrinking number of brick-and-mortar retail stores impacts employment.

"The increase in online sales is expected to continue o...