Average Retail Sales Associate Hourly Pay

A retail sales associate works in the customer areas of a retail store. The store uses these workers to help maintain the location's orderliness and appearance, as well as assist shoppers in locating specific merchandise and with questions about sales or special discounts. Additionally, many stores ask their retail associates to perform duties such as restocking inventory throughout a shift. In some stores, associates are cross-trained as cashiers and may be called upon to either run a register at the front of the store or at a remote department location during busy hours. Typically, associates help with store-wide sales campaigns and special promotions; they must be knowledgeable about these campaigns and provide customers with assistance regarding sale items, discounts and customer rewards programs.

The position of retail sales associate is typically entry level, although previous experience may be preferred or required. Stores often promote from within, and sales associates may eventually seek supervisory or managerial positions. Well-trained retail sales associates help their store attract and retain customers; they must have friendly, outgoing personalities and be able to work well with members of their team and with customers. Sales associates are also trained to maintain an eye for detail and are expected to maintain the organization and cleanliness throughout a shift. (Copyright 2018 PayScale.com)

Retail Sales Associate Tasks

• Process payment for products or service, may maintain customer preference records.
• Assist the customer in selecting products/services, answer questions and check for stock and availability.
• Attend special training of products/services to understand the product features, trends or styles of the products/services.
• Sell the organization's products/services to new or established customers typically via walk-in business.

San Francisco offers some of the highest pay in the country for Retail Sales Associates, 46 percent above the national average. Retail Sales Associates can also look forward to large paychecks in cities like Seattle (+27 percent), New York (+17 percent), Atlanta (+14 percent), and San Diego (+11 percent). Orlando ranks last in the field for pay, reporting salaries 4 percent below the national average. Employers in Charlotte and Miami also lean toward paying below-median salaries (2 percent lower and 1 percent lower, respectively).