Retail Salesperson salary in Rochester, NY
Retail Salespersons in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $34,650 a year ($16.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,910 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 8% lower than the New York statewide median of $37,720. There are 25 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Median | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| 75th percentile | $37,890 | $18.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Average (mean) | $39,340 | $18.91 |
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 | $2,887.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,443.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,332.69 |
| Weekly | $666.35 |
| Hourly | $16.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Retail Salesperson pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $33,850 | $16.27 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Parts Salesperson | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $67,400 | $32.41 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $75,450 | $36.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $109,040 | $52.43 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $99,660 | $47.91 |
| Telemarketer | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $88,310 | $42.46 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $68,310 | $32.84 |
| Sales Engineer | $103,640 | $49.83 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Rochester, NY metro area is $34,650 a year, or $16.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $49,910 a year. The top 25% earn $37,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $33,210 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Rochester, NY?
About 12,440 retail salespersons are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.