Retail Salesperson salary in North Carolina
Retail Salespersons in North Carolina earn a median of $31,370 a year ($15.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 127,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,070 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,410. North Carolina ranks 38th 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 $34,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,040 | $11.08 |
| 25th percentile | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Median | $31,370 | $15.08 |
| 75th percentile | $36,930 | $17.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Average (mean) | $34,230 | $16.46 |
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 | $2,614.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,307.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,206.54 |
| Weekly | $603.27 |
| 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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | $34,110 | 5,570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $33,580 | 35,150 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $33,100 | 18,660 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $31,790 | 5,850 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $30,820 | 20,890 |
| Wilmington, NC | $30,790 | 6,310 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $30,750 | 9,510 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $30,520 | 4,000 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $30,440 | 4,240 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,100 | 6,790 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $30,020 | 1,370 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $29,960 | 1,460 |
| Burlington, NC | $29,630 | 2,570 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $29,480 | 2,040 |
| Greenville, NC | $29,250 | 2,370 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,830 | 1,380 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $28,880 | $13.89 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Parts Salesperson | $32,480 | $15.61 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $70,990 | $34.13 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $62,620 | $30.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $74,040 | $35.60 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $125,370 | $60.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $91,200 | $43.84 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $51,240 | $24.64 |
| Sales Engineer | $121,530 | $58.43 |
| Telemarketer | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Real Estate Broker | $52,830 | $25.40 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for retail salespersons in North Carolina is $31,370 a year, or $15.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in North Carolina earn at least $46,070 a year. The top 25% earn $36,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,040 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $27,720 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in North Carolina?
About 127,540 retail salespersons are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.