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First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers out-earn Retail Salespersons by $52K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers land at $87,520 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: first-line supervisors of non-retail sales worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers is New York ($121,780); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
Retail Salespersons
Median salary
$87,520
$35,410
Hourly rate
$42.08/hr
$17.03/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$50,320
$27,210
Senior level (90th %)
$164,070
$47,890
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
No formal educational credential
U.S. employment
214,390
3,897,860
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
-0.5%
Category
Sales
Sales
Top-paying state
New York
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers median pay.

State
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers
Retail Salespersons
New York
$121,780
$37,720
Massachusetts
$115,150
$36,610
Colorado
$110,450
$37,950
New Jersey
$99,030
$36,520
Washington
$95,150
$39,560
Minnesota
$88,510
$36,370
District of Columbia
$88,420
$38,500
Alaska
$83,900
$37,290
Maine
$82,910
$36,640
Vermont
$81,850
$37,400
California
$81,140
$38,440
Oregon
$80,460
$36,770
Connecticut
$78,950
$36,490
Montana
$77,030
$36,270
Hawaii
$63,490
$37,790

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers or Retail Salespersons?

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers earn more nationally. The median is $87,520 for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $52K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers or Retail Salespersons?

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 0% projected growth, compared to -0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers or Retail Salespersons?

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers 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 First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers at $121,780/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers earn $121,780 vs. $37,720 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers salary breakdownView →Full Retail Salespersons salary breakdownView →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Retail Salespersons by take-home payExplore →How to become a first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workersGuide →How to become a retail salespersonsGuide →