Retail Salesperson salary in Columbia, MO
Retail Salespersons in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $31,390 a year ($15.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,210 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $33,460. There are 24 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| Median | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| 75th percentile | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,210 | $21.25 |
| Average (mean) | $34,650 | $16.66 |
Half of retail salespersons earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,615.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,307.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,207.31 |
| Weekly | $603.65 |
| Hourly | $15.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Retail Salesperson salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $34,320 | 26,110 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $33,820 | 29,750 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $31,770 | 1,310 |
| Springfield, MO | $31,760 | 5,810 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $30,740 | 2,420 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $30,400 | 1,540 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $30,250 | 1,460 |
Highest-paying states for retail salespersons
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 |
| California | $38,440 |
| Colorado | $37,950 |
| Hawaii | $37,790 |
| New York | $37,720 |
| Vermont | $37,400 |
| Alaska | $37,290 |
| Oregon | $36,770 |
| Maine | $36,640 |
See Retail Salesperson pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $29,910 | $14.38 |
| Parts Salesperson | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $44,500 | $21.40 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $55,200 | $26.54 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $60,890 | $29.27 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $30,950 | $14.88 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $68,130 | $32.75 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $93,480 | $44.94 |
| Real Estate Broker | $55,230 | $26.55 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Columbia, MO?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Columbia, MO metro area is $31,390 a year, or $15.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $44,210 a year. The top 25% earn $35,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $29,130 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Columbia, MO?
About 2,610 retail salespersons are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.