Education Administrators, Postsecondary vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $69,380 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 200.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $212,420 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,820 | $25,600 | +$38,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $79,880 | $29,140 | +$50,740 |
| Median (50th) | $103,960 | $34,580 | +$69,380 |
| 75th Percentile | $140,940 | $37,850 | +$103,090 |
| 90th Percentile | $212,420 | $47,930 | +$164,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,450 | $37,150 | +$87,300 |
Employment Numbers
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Education Administrators, Postsecondary or Retail Salespersons?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $69,380 (200.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Education Administrators, Postsecondary and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Education Administrators, Postsecondary has a median salary of $103,960 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS