Retail Salespersons vs Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Median annual salary
1,266,860 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products professionals earn $32,200 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 93.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Retail Salespersons earns $47,930 compared to $134,470 for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Retail Salespersons | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $25,600 | $37,860 | $-12,260 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,140 | $49,040 | $-19,900 |
| Median (50th) | $34,580 | $66,780 | $-32,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,850 | $97,570 | $-59,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $47,930 | $134,470 | $-86,540 |
| Mean (Average) | $37,150 | $81,470 | $-44,320 |
Employment Numbers
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
1,266,860
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,150 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,520 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $78,580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Retail Salespersons or Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
What is the salary range for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
How many Retail Salespersons and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products to Retail Salespersons?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS