Retail Salespersons Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $35,730 +3.3% vs national
Median hourly $17.18
10th percentile $30,300
90th percentile $47,940
Employed locally 65,060
National median $34,580

Compare Retail Salespersons salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Retail Salespersons
in
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
vs

    In Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, retail salespersons earn a median annual salary of $35,730, which is slightly higher than the national median of $34,580. This translates to a median hourly wage of $17.18. When compared to local household income in this area, which stands at an area median of $123,896, it becomes evident that retail salesperson earnings represent a smaller proportion of typical household incomes. With a local unemployment rate of 3.00%, the job market is relatively stable, but retail sales positions still typically offer wages below the average for households in the region.

    Salaries for retail salespersons vary significantly based on experience level. Entry-level workers often earn closer to the lower end of the scale, around the 10th percentile at $30,300 annually or approximately $14.59 per hour. In contrast, experienced workers can reach salaries near the 90th percentile, earning up to $47,940 annually, which equates to about $23.06 per hour. The disparity in earnings is driven by factors such as tenure with a company, individual performance, and additional responsibilities or skills acquired over time. This progression underscores how experience and job proficiency can substantially enhance compensation within the retail sales field.

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,300
    25th
    $31,620
    50th (median)
    $35,730
    75th
    $38,670
    90th
    $47,940

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Retail Salespersons salary vs area income 29% Median Retail Salespersons salary is 71% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Retail Salespersons make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Retail Salespersons in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $17.18, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.98 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Retail Salespersons salaries?

    The median Retail Salespersons salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 3.3% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Retail Salespersons (10th percentile) earn around $30,300 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,620.