Sales Engineers vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Sales Engineers out-earn Retail Salespersons by $89K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sales Engineers land at $124,900 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: sales engineer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Sales Engineers is Delaware ($167,200); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Sales Engineers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Sales Engineers or Retail Salespersons?
Sales Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $124,900 for Sales Engineers versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $89K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Sales Engineers or Retail Salespersons?
Sales Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.5% projected growth, compared to -0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Sales Engineers or Retail Salespersons?
Sales Engineers 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 Sales Engineers get paid the most?
Delaware is the top-paying state for Sales Engineers at $167,200/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Sales Engineers vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Sales Engineers earn $153,410 vs. $35,510 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.