Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products vs. Retail Salespersons: Who Earns More?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products out-earn Retail Salespersons by $70K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products land at $104,920 and Retail Salespersons at $35,410. The education gap is real: sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific product programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while retail salesperson programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products is Colorado ($135,000); for Retail Salespersons it's Washington ($39,560).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products or Retail Salespersons?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products earn more nationally. The median is $104,920 for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products versus $35,410 for Retail Salespersons, a difference of $70K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products or Retail Salespersons?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products has the better 10-year outlook at 1.9% projected growth, compared to -0.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products or Retail Salespersons?
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products 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 Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products get paid the most?
Colorado is the top-paying state for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products at $135,000/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products vs. Retail Salespersons pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products earn $135,000 vs. $37,950 for Retail Salespersons. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.