Retail Salesperson salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Retail Salespersons in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $36,850 a year ($17.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 64,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,260 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 1% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $36,610. There are 24 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,000 | $16.35 |
| 25th percentile | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| Median | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 75th percentile | $42,180 | $20.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| Average (mean) | $40,320 | $19.39 |
Half of retail salespersons earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,070.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,535.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,417.31 |
| Weekly | $708.65 |
| Hourly | $17.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Retail Salesperson salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $36,790 | 3,650 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $36,630 | 1,790 |
| Worcester, MA | $36,220 | 8,830 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $35,540 | 1,850 |
| Springfield, MA | $35,440 | 4,410 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $35,350 | 6,660 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $35,230 | 20,910 |
Highest-paying states for retail salespersons
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 |
| District of Columbia | $38,500 |
| California | $38,440 |
| Colorado | $37,950 |
| Hawaii | $37,790 |
| New York | $37,720 |
| Vermont | $37,400 |
| Alaska | $37,290 |
| Oregon | $36,770 |
| Maine | $36,640 |
See Retail Salesperson pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Parts Salesperson | $46,370 | $22.30 |
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | $39,590 | $19.04 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $58,850 | $28.30 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $79,670 | $38.31 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $101,200 | $48.66 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $122,550 | $58.92 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Sales Engineer | $136,620 | $65.68 |
| Travel Agent | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $83,470 | $40.13 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 41-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $36,850 a year, or $17.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $48,260 a year. The top 25% earn $42,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,000 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $35,410 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 64,150 retail salespersons are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.