Retail Salespersons Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $34,250 -1% vs national
Median hourly $16.47
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $50,780
Employed locally 14,660
National median $34,580

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Retail Salespersons
in
Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $31,200
    50th (median)
    $34,250
    75th
    $37,050
    90th
    $50,780

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Retail Salespersons salary vs area income 49% Median Retail Salespersons salary is 51% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Retail Salespersons

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $44,680
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,040
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,490
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $39,180
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $38,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,760

    Nearby metros — Retail Salespersons salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,040
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $37,350
    Kingston, NY $35,670
    Albany, OR $35,590
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $35,280
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,040

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cashiers $31,660
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $71,360
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $69,060
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $49,710
    Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $82,270
    Counter and Rental Clerks $40,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in Buffalo, NY is $16.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.01 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in Buffalo, NY is 1% below the national median of $34,580. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Retail Salespersons in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Retail Salespersons (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,200.