Counter and Rental Clerks vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Counter and Rental Clerks out-earn Retail Salespersons by $6K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Counter and Rental Clerks land at $41,300 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: counter and rental clerk programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Counter and Rental Clerks is District of Columbia ($53,760); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Counter and Rental Clerks median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Counter and Rental Clerks or Retail Salespersons?
Counter and Rental Clerks earn more nationally. The median is $41,300 for Counter and Rental Clerks versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $6K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Counter and Rental Clerks or Retail Salespersons?
Counter and Rental Clerks has the better 10-year outlook at 3.2% projected growth, compared to -0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Counter and Rental Clerks or Retail Salespersons?
Counter and Rental Clerks typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Retail Salespersons requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Counter and Rental Clerks get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Counter and Rental Clerks at $53,760/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Counter and Rental Clerks vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Counter and Rental Clerks earn $53,760 vs. $38,500 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.