Retail Salesperson salary in Reading, PA
Retail Salespersons in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $33,010 a year ($15.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,250 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 6% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $31,200. There are 25 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,580 | $11.34 |
| 25th percentile | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| Median | $33,010 | $15.87 |
| 75th percentile | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,250 | $22.23 |
| Average (mean) | $34,970 | $16.81 |
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 | $2,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,375.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,269.62 |
| Weekly | $634.81 |
| Hourly | $15.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,810 | 63,990 |
| Lebanon, PA | $32,960 | 1,420 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $32,310 | 9,060 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $31,090 | 1,630 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $30,840 | 28,700 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $30,500 | 7,640 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $30,480 | 4,680 |
| Williamsport, PA | $30,430 | 1,300 |
| Lancaster, PA | $30,280 | 7,400 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $30,020 | 6,330 |
| State College, PA | $29,240 | 1,710 |
| Erie, PA | $28,610 | 3,340 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $28,500 | 860 |
| Altoona, PA | $28,370 | 2,090 |
| Johnstown, PA | $27,960 | 1,370 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Parts Salesperson | $40,380 | $19.41 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $66,130 | $31.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $61,600 | $29.62 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $67,740 | $32.57 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $64,070 | $30.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $80,900 | $38.90 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $51,930 | $24.97 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Travel Agent | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $58,010 | $27.89 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Reading, PA metro area is $33,010 a year, or $15.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $46,250 a year. The top 25% earn $37,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,580 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $28,200 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Reading, PA?
About 4,430 retail salespersons are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.