Retail Salesperson salary in New York
Retail Salespersons in New York earn a median of $37,720 a year ($18.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 238,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,630 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $35,410. New York ranks 6th of 51 states for retail salespersons pay. There are 25 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,650 | $16.18 |
| 25th percentile | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Median | $37,720 | $18.13 |
| 75th percentile | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,630 | $28.19 |
| Average (mean) | $42,580 | $20.47 |
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 | $3,143.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,571.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,450.77 |
| Weekly | $725.38 |
| Hourly | $18.13 |
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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $38,280 | 202,080 |
| Kingston, NY | $36,530 | 1,860 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $36,160 | 9,890 |
| Ithaca, NY | $35,510 | 1,170 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $35,420 | 11,930 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,250 | 8,150 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $35,070 | 1,780 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $34,910 | 15,160 |
| Rochester, NY | $34,650 | 12,440 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $34,530 | 3,010 |
| Binghamton, NY | $34,460 | 2,540 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $34,280 | 1,490 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,140 | 1,180 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $46,270 | $22.25 |
| Parts Salesperson | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $92,190 | $44.32 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $168,340 | $80.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $121,780 | $58.55 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $98,360 | $47.29 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $129,410 | $62.21 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $102,990 | $49.51 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $49,150 | $23.63 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for retail salespersons in New York is $37,720 a year, or $18.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in New York?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in New York earn at least $58,630 a year. The top 25% earn $44,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,650 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $35,670 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in New York?
About 238,540 retail salespersons are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.