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Retail Salespersons Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Retail Salespersons make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$38,440
Median Annual Salary
▲
+3.2% vs 2024
$42,950
Mean Salary
$38,440
Median Salary
$18.48
Hourly Rate
376,460 people work as Retail Salespersons in California
Retail Salespersons salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Retail Salespersons in California earn a median salary of $38,440 per year ($3,203/month).
This is 13.0% above the national average of $34,032.
California ranks #3 out of 51 states for Retail Salespersons pay.
Approximately 376,460 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 3.2% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Retail Salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Top Skills
Persuasion
3.88
Active Listening
3.75
Speaking
3.75
Service Orientation
3.75
Social Perceptiveness
3.5
Key Knowledge Areas
Sales and Marketing
4.52
Customer and Personal Service
4.34
English Language
3.67
Administration and Management
3.04
Mathematics
3.03
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(63.5% of workers)
Salaries for Retail Salespersons in California range from $35,240 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $54,310 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $36,350 and $45,460.
Median $38,440
P10: $35,240P25: $36,350P75: $45,460P90: $54,310
10th
$35,240
25th
$36,350
Median
$38,440
75th
$45,460
90th
$54,310
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$35,240
$16.94
$2,936
25th Percentile
$36,350
$17.48
$3,029
Median (50th)
$38,440
$18.48
$3,203
75th Percentile
$45,460
$21.86
$3,788
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$54,310
$26.11
$4,525
Note: The mean (average) salary of $42,950 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Retail Salespersons make in California?
The median annual salary for Retail Salespersons in California is $38,440 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $42,950.
What is the salary range for a Retail Salespersons in California?
Salaries for Retail Salespersons in California range from $35,240 at the 10th percentile to $54,310 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $36,350 and $45,460.
What is the starting salary for a Retail Salespersons in California?
Entry-level Retail Salespersons positions in California typically start around $35,240 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $36,350 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Retail Salespersons in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 376,460 people are employed as Retail Salespersons in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Retail Salespersons in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Retail Salespersons in California is approximately $18.48 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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