Retail Salespersons Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $30,480 -11.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.66
10th percentile $26,320
90th percentile $40,680
Employed locally 2,410
National median $34,580

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Retail Salespersons
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Columbia, MO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,320
    25th
    $27,810
    50th (median)
    $30,480
    75th
    $35,260
    90th
    $40,680

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Retail Salespersons salary vs area income 44% Median Retail Salespersons salary is 56% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $42,490
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $37,700
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,440
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,420
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $37,340
    Vermont $36,810

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cashiers $28,770
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $56,170
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $44,530
    Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $45,960
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $47,730
    Insurance Sales Agents $73,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in Columbia, MO is $14.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.25 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in Columbia, MO is 11.9% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Retail Salespersons (10th percentile) earn around $26,320 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,810.