Retail Salesperson salary in Columbus, OH
Retail Salespersons in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $33,780 a year ($16.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 10% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $30,800. There are 24 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,470 | $12.73 |
| 25th percentile | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Median | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| 75th percentile | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Average (mean) | $35,940 | $17.28 |
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 | $2,815 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,407.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,299.23 |
| Weekly | $649.62 |
| Hourly | $16.24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, OH | $32,610 | 1,210 |
| Akron, OH | $31,060 | 7,770 |
| Cleveland, OH | $31,000 | 24,650 |
| Sandusky, OH | $31,000 | 1,510 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,810 | 28,670 |
| Toledo, OH | $30,780 | 7,360 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $30,360 | 9,170 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $29,480 | 4,850 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,370 | 1,960 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $29,080 | 4,870 |
| Lima, OH | $28,900 | 1,490 |
| Mansfield, OH | $28,830 | 1,670 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $28,220 | 4,290 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,640 | 940 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $39,180 | $18.84 |
| Parts Salesperson | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $51,220 | $24.63 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $105,260 | $50.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $83,590 | $40.19 |
| Telemarketer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $51,890 | $24.95 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $41,490 | $19.95 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Columbus, OH metro area is $33,780 a year, or $16.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $46,780 a year. The top 25% earn $37,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,470 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $29,100 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Columbus, OH?
About 26,850 retail salespersons are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.