Retail Salespersons Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $28,890 -16.5% vs national
Median hourly $13.89
10th percentile $21,670
90th percentile $44,600
Employed locally 10,740
National median $34,580

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Retail Salespersons
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,670
    25th
    $24,370
    50th (median)
    $28,890
    75th
    $34,840
    90th
    $44,600

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 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
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $35,190
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,040
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $34,200
    Wisconsin $33,640
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $32,240

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cashiers $26,790
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $51,780
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $64,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $46,110
    Insurance Sales Agents $59,230
    Counter and Rental Clerks $35,890

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in Columbia, SC is $13.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.08 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in Columbia, SC is 16.5% 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 $21,670 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,370.