Cashiers vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Retail Salespersons out-earn Cashiers by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cashiers land at $32,880 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: cashier programs typically require no formal educational credential, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Cashiers is District of Columbia ($38,880); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cashiers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Cashiers or Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons earn more nationally. The median is $32,880 for Cashiers versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Cashiers or Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons has the better 10-year outlook at -0.5% projected growth, compared to -9.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Cashiers or Retail Salespersons?
Cashiers typically requires no formal educational credential. Retail Salespersons requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Cashiers get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Cashiers at $38,880/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Cashiers vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Cashiers earn $38,880 vs. $38,500 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.