Electricians vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electricians professionals earn $27,770 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 80.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electricians earns $106,030 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Electricians$39,430 – $106,030
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$106,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Electricians | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,430 | $25,600 | +$13,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,820 | $29,140 | +$19,680 |
| Median (50th) | $62,350 | $34,580 | +$27,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,730 | $37,850 | +$43,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,030 | $47,930 | +$58,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,630 | $37,150 | +$32,480 |
Employment Numbers
Electricians
742,580
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Electricians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $102,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $99,540 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $95,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,020 |
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: Electricians or Retail Salespersons?
Electricians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,770 (80.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electricians?
Electricians salaries range from $39,430 (10th percentile) to $106,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,350.
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 Electricians and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 742,580 Electricians positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Electricians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electricians has a median salary of $62,350 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