Retail Salesperson salary in Iowa
Retail Salespersons in Iowa earn a median of $31,360 a year ($15.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 41,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,900 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,410. Iowa ranks 39th of 51 states for retail salespersons pay. There are 26 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,220 | $12.12 |
| 25th percentile | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| Median | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 75th percentile | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Average (mean) | $34,480 | $16.58 |
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 | $2,613.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,306.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,206.15 |
| Weekly | $603.08 |
| Hourly | $15.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Retail Salesperson salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $33,430 | 3,410 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $33,430 | 11,000 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $33,260 | 12,080 |
| Ames, IA | $32,460 | 1,460 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,030 | 4,760 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $31,270 | 2,460 |
| Dubuque, IA | $30,960 | 1,810 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $30,150 | 2,220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,940 | 2,710 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $28,970 | $13.93 |
| Parts Salesperson | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $89,640 | $43.09 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Telemarketer | $33,640 | $16.17 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $58,480 | $28.12 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for retail salespersons in Iowa is $31,360 a year, or $15.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Iowa?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in Iowa earn at least $45,900 a year. The top 25% earn $36,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,220 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $28,580 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Iowa?
About 41,000 retail salespersons are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.