Retail Salesperson salary in Rhode Island
Retail Salespersons in Rhode Island earn a median of $34,860 a year ($16.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,060 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,410. Rhode Island ranks 23rd 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 $37,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,520 | $15.16 |
| Median | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| 75th percentile | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Average (mean) | $37,570 | $18.06 |
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 | $2,905 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,452.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,340.77 |
| Weekly | $670.38 |
| Hourly | $16.76 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Parts Salesperson | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $82,420 | $39.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $117,670 | $56.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $48,040 | $23.09 |
| Travel Agent | $59,790 | $28.75 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Sales Engineer | $149,750 | $71.99 |
| Model | $45,060 | $21.66 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $60,310 | $28.99 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for retail salespersons in Rhode Island is $34,860 a year, or $16.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in Rhode Island earn at least $47,060 a year. The top 25% earn $37,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $31,520 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Rhode Island?
About 12,830 retail salespersons are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.