Retail Salesperson salary in Kentucky
Retail Salespersons in Kentucky earn a median of $29,650 a year ($14.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 51,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,850 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $35,410. Kentucky ranks 47th 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 $32,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,400 | $10.77 |
| 25th percentile | $26,190 | $12.59 |
| Median | $29,650 | $14.26 |
| 75th percentile | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| Average (mean) | $32,570 | $15.66 |
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 | $2,470.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,235.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,140.38 |
| Weekly | $570.19 |
| Hourly | $14.26 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,810 | 28,670 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,660 | 17,540 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $30,100 | 7,810 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,100 | 3,470 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,030 | 1,490 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $28,650 | 1,570 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $28,430 | 2,720 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $28,390 | 1,800 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $28,220 | 4,290 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| Parts Salesperson | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $64,280 | $30.90 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $97,640 | $46.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Telemarketer | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $51,580 | $24.80 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for retail salespersons in Kentucky is $29,650 a year, or $14.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in Kentucky earn at least $43,850 a year. The top 25% earn $35,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,400 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $26,190 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Kentucky?
About 51,250 retail salespersons are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.