Retail Salespersons vs. Cashiers: Who Earns More?
Retail Salespersons out-earn Cashiers by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Retail Salespersons land at $35,410 and Cashiers at $32,880. The education gap is real: retail salesperson programs typically require no formal educational credential, while cashier programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Retail Salespersons is Washington ($39,560); for Cashiers it's District of Columbia ($38,880).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Retail Salespersons median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Retail Salespersons or Cashiers?
Retail Salespersons earn more nationally. The median is $35,410 for Retail Salespersons versus $32,880 for Cashiers, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Retail Salespersons or Cashiers?
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, Retail Salespersons or Cashiers?
Retail Salespersons typically requires no formal educational credential. Cashiers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Retail Salespersons get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Retail Salespersons at $39,560/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Retail Salespersons vs. Cashiers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Retail Salespersons earn $39,560 vs. $38,720 for Cashiers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.