Retail Salespersons Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $42,490 +22.9% vs national
Median hourly $20.43
10th percentile $37,790
90th percentile $59,400
Employed locally 37,380
National median $34,580

Compare Retail Salespersons salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Retail Salespersons
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San Francisco, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,790
    25th
    $39,270
    50th (median)
    $42,490
    75th
    $47,190
    90th
    $59,400

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Retail Salespersons salary vs area income 32% Median Retail Salespersons salary is 68% 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
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $39,180
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $38,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,760
    Washington $38,350

    Nearby metros — Retail Salespersons salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $44,680
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,040
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,760
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $37,510
    Vallejo, CA $37,450
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $37,440

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cashiers $39,520
    Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel $99,300
    Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $83,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $57,160
    Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $101,720
    Counter and Rental Clerks $45,260

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in San Francisco, CA is $20.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.35 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in San Francisco, CA is 22.9% 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 San Francisco?

    Entry-level Retail Salespersons (10th percentile) earn around $37,790 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,270.