Retail Salesperson salary in Knoxville, TN
Retail Salespersons in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $31,150 a year ($14.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,520 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 3% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $31,950. There are 29 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,350 | $11.22 |
| 25th percentile | $27,760 | $13.34 |
| Median | $31,150 | $14.97 |
| 75th percentile | $36,410 | $17.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
| Average (mean) | $34,990 | $16.82 |
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 | $2,595.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,297.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,198.08 |
| Weekly | $599.04 |
| Hourly | $14.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,420 | 28,580 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,580 | 17,050 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,160 | 1,230 |
| Morristown, TN | $31,750 | 1,190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $31,460 | 7,020 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,200 | 3,620 |
| Jackson, TN | $30,990 | 2,390 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,820 | 2,330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,100 | 3,470 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $29,110 | $13.99 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Parts Salesperson | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $50,970 | $24.51 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $84,000 | $40.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Telemarketer | $21,990 | $10.57 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $46,710 | $22.46 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $31,150 a year, or $14.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $47,520 a year. The top 25% earn $36,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,350 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $27,760 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Knoxville, TN?
About 12,430 retail salespersons are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.