387,222 Retail Jobs

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This page uses military occupational specialty codes from the O*NET 25.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

25% of American jobs are in the retail industry

Despite the COVID-19 quarantines, most retail jobs remain steady. Grocery, distribution and call centers have become essential businesses, and their employees are now essential workers. There are many opportunities in retail to consider.

Retail stores:

Retail Sales Associates typically work on the sales floor promoting, selling and stocking merchandise such as groceries, pharmacy, appliances, or medical equipment. They need to have an intimate understanding of the items they’re selling.

A typical day for a retail sales associate:

Organizing and stocking merchandise
Greeting shoppers
Sharing information about sales, payment options, and exchange policies
Completing the sale.

Related job searches for retail sales:

Most retail managers got their job by being promoted. About 60% of managers started out as sales associates or cashiers—they've earned recognition and a raise!

A typical day for a retail sales manager:

Conducting interviews to hire new employees, or training recent hires
Preparing schedules for employees to ensure the store is always well-staffed
Resolving issues between employees or handling customer problems
Inspecting and maintaining a clean, organized, and attractive sales floor.

Related job searches for retail manager:

Non-store retail jobs:

45% of retail jobs are outside of the store. These behind the scenes jobs get the mechandice to the stores, jobs such as product development and production, distribution, corporate, call centers and marketing.

Related searches for non-store employment:

Part time and first-time retail jobs:

A flexible schedule is the number one reason workers take retail jobs. According to NRF, 20% of retail workers are part time, and do not work a traditional 9-5 job. Part time workers are typically younger (students) and older-age (semi-retired) employees.

Extra income is the second reason workers seek part time jobs—often to pay off debt or contribute to college expenses.

Part time retail jobs

These articles offer advice for workers considering a retail job:

8 tips for the perfect retail sales resume

These jobs are on the rise during coronavirus outbreak

Essential skills for success at every level of retail sales

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Salary Information

Average salary for retail jobs:

Retail Sales Associates typically start with an hourly wage, which could be from $7.25 per hour (the federal minimum wage) to $15 per hour (in Washington DC). Retail sales associates are often supplemented by commissions for their successful sales. Thus, the skills of the individual sales associate can have a significant impact on his or her earnings, and wages may vary from one pay period to the next.

A Retail Sales Manager can earn a salary of $40,000 to $175,000 annually, this depends on the type of store, area of the country, and experience.

Find salaries for any job and location with CareerBuilder's Salary Tool.

$33,000 - $83,000 national avg.

Top locations for retail jobs: