Retail Salesperson salary in Columbia, SC
Retail Salespersons in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $29,540 a year ($14.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,840 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $30,690. There are 28 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,110 | $10.63 |
| 25th percentile | $26,740 | $12.86 |
| Median | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| 75th percentile | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Average (mean) | $32,590 | $15.67 |
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 | $2,461.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,230.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,136.15 |
| Weekly | $568.08 |
| Hourly | $14.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $34,090 | 11,930 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $33,880 | 3,700 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $33,580 | 35,150 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $30,840 | 11,830 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $30,540 | 3,790 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,350 | 6,930 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $29,320 | 7,780 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,720 | 1,010 |
| Florence, SC | $28,650 | 2,600 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Parts Salesperson | $34,310 | $16.49 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $62,470 | $30.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $75,630 | $36.36 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $109,080 | $52.44 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Telemarketer | $36,100 | $17.36 |
| Sales Engineer | $108,830 | $52.32 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Columbia, SC metro area is $29,540 a year, or $14.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $43,840 a year. The top 25% earn $35,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,110 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $26,740 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Columbia, SC?
About 10,860 retail salespersons are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.