Retail Salesperson salary in Tennessee
Retail Salespersons in Tennessee earn a median of $31,950 a year ($15.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 87,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,720 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $35,410. Tennessee ranks 35th of 51 states for retail salespersons pay. There are 27 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,720 | $11.40 |
| 25th percentile | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| Median | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| 75th percentile | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Average (mean) | $35,010 | $16.83 |
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 | $2,662.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,331.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,228.85 |
| Weekly | $614.42 |
| Hourly | $15.36 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,420 | 28,580 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,580 | 17,050 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,160 | 1,230 |
| Morristown, TN | $31,750 | 1,190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $31,460 | 7,020 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,200 | 3,620 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,150 | 12,430 |
| Jackson, TN | $30,990 | 2,390 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,820 | 2,330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,100 | 3,470 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $28,590 | $13.74 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Parts Salesperson | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $47,880 | $23.02 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $94,450 | $45.41 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $57,120 | $27.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $85,980 | $41.34 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| Telemarketer | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $48,190 | $23.17 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for retail salespersons in Tennessee is $31,950 a year, or $15.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in Tennessee earn at least $47,720 a year. The top 25% earn $36,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,720 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $28,070 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Tennessee?
About 87,380 retail salespersons are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.