Retail Salesperson salary in Massachusetts
Retail Salespersons in Massachusetts earn a median of $36,610 a year ($17.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 86,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,980 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $35,410. Massachusetts ranks 11th of 51 states for retail salespersons pay. There are 24 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,310 | $16.01 |
| 25th percentile | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Median | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 75th percentile | $40,510 | $19.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Average (mean) | $39,970 | $19.22 |
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 | $3,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,408.08 |
| Weekly | $704.04 |
| Hourly | $17.60 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $36,850 | 64,150 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $36,790 | 3,650 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $36,630 | 1,790 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,220 | 8,830 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $35,540 | 1,850 |
| Springfield, MA | $35,440 | 4,410 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,230 | 20,910 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $44,070 | $21.19 |
| Parts Salesperson | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $79,810 | $38.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $100,310 | $48.23 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $118,980 | $57.20 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $79,300 | $38.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $115,150 | $55.36 |
| Sales Engineer | $136,200 | $65.48 |
| Travel Agent | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $47,590 | $22.88 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for retail salespersons in Massachusetts is $36,610 a year, or $17.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in Massachusetts earn at least $47,980 a year. The top 25% earn $40,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,310 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $34,960 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Massachusetts?
About 86,860 retail salespersons are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.