Retail Sales Worker
Retail sales workers sell merchandise, spare and replacement parts, and equipment to customers.
What the job is
- The work
- Retail sales workers sell merchandise, spare and replacement parts, and equipment to customers.
BLS
Retail Sales Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- 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.
BLS
Retail Sales Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Friendly, outgoing people who like helping customers and don't mind evenings and weekends.
- Career cluster
- Marketing & Sales
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (retail sales workers).
- Median pay
- $35,560 a year ($17.10 an hour)
BLS
Retail Sales Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 4,271,400
- Typical entry
- No formal educational credential
- Training after hire
- See How to Become One
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- 0%, which BLS calls "little or no change"
BLS
Retail Sales Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- −5,700 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- 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.
BLS
Retail Sales Workers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- In short
- Retail sales workers typically do not need formal education; some employers prefer a high school diploma. Most learn on the job in a few days to a few months. Some states license selected retail sales jobs, such as car salespersons.
- License
- Some states, for some jobs. Some states require licensure for selected retail sales occupations, such as car salespersons; you may need to pass an exam or a background check. Requirements vary by state: contact the state licensing agency.
- By state
- State rules on the roadmap
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
-
StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
- AlaskaState guide
- ArizonaState guide
- ArkansasState guide
- CaliforniaState guide
- ColoradoState guide
- ConnecticutState guide
- DelawareState guide
- District of ColumbiaState guide
- FloridaState guide
- GeorgiaState guide
- HawaiiState guide
- IdahoState guide
- IllinoisState guide
- IndianaState guide
- IowaState guide
- KansasState guide
- KentuckyState guide
- LouisianaState guide
- MaineState guide
- MarylandState guide
- MassachusettsState guide
- MichiganState guide
- MinnesotaState guide
- MississippiState guide
- MissouriState guide
- MontanaState guide
- NebraskaState guide
- NevadaState guide
- New HampshireState guide
- New JerseyState guide
- New MexicoState guide
- New YorkState guide
- North CarolinaState guide
- North DakotaState guide
- OhioState guide
- OklahomaState guide
- OregonState guide
- PennsylvaniaState guide
- Rhode IslandState guide
- South CarolinaState guide
- South DakotaState guide
- TennesseeState guide
- TexasState guide
- UtahState guide
- VermontState guide
- VirginiaState guide
- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Retail sales worker: no formal education needed, on-the-job training, then supervisor or manager
See the roadmap
Route 1: Get hired → on-the-job training · Route 2: Sales worker → supervisor or store manager
More careers in Marketing & Sales
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 20 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.