Retail Sales Workers

Retail sales workers sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel, to customers. They also sell spare and replacement parts and equipment.

Duties

Retail sales workers typically do the following:

• Greet customers and offer them assistance
• Recommend products based on customers’ wants and needs
• Explain the use and benefit of products to customers
• Answer customers’ questions
• Show how products work, if applicable
• Add up customers’ total purchases and process payment
• Inform customers about current sales, promotions, and policies about payments and exchanges

Retail sales workers help customers find and select items to buy; they also process payment for the sale. They may be responsible for operating a cash register or point-of-sale system and for cash, receipts, and totals related to payment transactions.

In addition, retail sales workers may help with tasks such as stocking shelves or racks, arranging for delivery of purchases, and tracking inventory. They also need to maintain a tidy and organized work area.

For some retail sales jobs, particularly those involving expensive and complex items, retail sales workers need special knowledge or skills. For example, those who sell cars or car parts must be able to explain the features of various models, manufacturers’ specifications, and details of associated warranties.

Retail sales workers also must recognize security risks and understand their organization’s procedures for handling theft, which may include notifying security guards or calling police.

The following are examples of types of retail sales workers:

Parts salespersons sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts. Most work in either automotive parts stores or automobile dealerships.

Retail salespersons work in stores where they sell goods such as cars, clothing, furniture, and many other types of merchandise.

For information about other workers who process payments and disburse money in retail settings, see the cashiers profile.

Parts salespersons held about 272,100 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of parts salespersons were as follows:

Retail salespersons held about 3.9 million jobs in 2024. The largest employers of retail salespersons were as follows:

Most parts salespersons and retail salespersons work in stores. Some workers travel to meet clients or visit other stores. Retail sales workers spend most of their time interacting with customers, such as to answer their questions or assist them with purchases.

Workers often stand for long periods. They may work outdoors if they sell items such as cars, plants, or lumberyard materials.

Work Schedules

Many sales workers are employed full time. Schedules may vary to include evenings and weekends. Workers sometimes pick up additional shifts or part-time employment, particularly during holidays and other peak sales periods.

Retail sales workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Most retail sales workers learn on the job.

The median hourly wage for parts salespersons was $18.00 in May 2024.

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons was $16.62 in May 2024.

Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to decline 0 percent from 2024 to 2034.

Despite declining employment, about 586,000 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.