Retail Salesperson salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Retail Salespersons in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $31,460 a year ($15.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,430 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $31,950. There are 26 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,010 | $11.06 |
| 25th percentile | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Median | $31,460 | $15.12 |
| 75th percentile | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Average (mean) | $34,400 | $16.54 |
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 | $2,621.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,310.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,210 |
| Weekly | $605 |
| Hourly | $15.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,420 | 28,580 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $32,850 | 84,970 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,580 | 17,050 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,160 | 1,230 |
| Gainesville, GA | $31,870 | 2,590 |
| Morristown, TN | $31,750 | 1,190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,200 | 3,620 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,150 | 12,430 |
| Jackson, TN | $30,990 | 2,390 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,650 | 2,460 |
| Rome, GA | $30,590 | 1,520 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $30,200 | 1,790 |
| Savannah, GA | $30,160 | 6,820 |
| Hinesville, GA | $29,880 | 670 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,820 | 2,330 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $29,350 | 6,930 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $29,240 | 2,810 |
| Dalton, GA | $29,140 | 1,360 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,100 | 3,470 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $28,820 | 2,800 |
| Albany, GA | $28,660 | 1,870 |
| Valdosta, GA | $28,600 | 1,940 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $28,180 | 3,580 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $28,440 | $13.67 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Parts Salesperson | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $60,600 | $29.14 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $54,940 | $26.41 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $96,130 | $46.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $46,910 | $22.56 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $46,580 | $22.40 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $52,500 | $25.24 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $34,190 | $16.44 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $31,460 a year, or $15.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $47,430 a year. The top 25% earn $36,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,010 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $27,600 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 7,020 retail salespersons are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.