Retail Salespersons Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $34,910 +1% vs national
Median hourly $16.78
10th percentile $29,970
90th percentile $48,390
Employed locally 102,320
National median $34,580

Compare Retail Salespersons salary & buying power

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Retail Salespersons
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,970
    25th
    $31,010
    50th (median)
    $34,910
    75th
    $37,730
    90th
    $48,390

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Retail Salespersons salary vs area income 39% Median Retail Salespersons salary is 61% 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
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $37,740
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $37,410
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $37,150
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $36,910
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $36,770
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $34,900

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cashiers $33,680
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $65,060
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $69,080
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $48,530
    Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $95,910
    Insurance Sales Agents $62,340

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in Chicago, IL-IN is $16.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.36 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 1% above 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Retail Salespersons (10th percentile) earn around $29,970 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,010.