Retail Salesperson salary in District of Columbia
Retail Salespersons in District of Columbia earn a median of $38,500 a year ($18.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,530 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $35,410. District of Columbia ranks 2nd of 51 states for retail salespersons pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 6.6 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $42,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| Median | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| 75th percentile | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,530 | $23.81 |
| Average (mean) | $42,380 | $20.38 |
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 | $3,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,604.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,480.77 |
| Weekly | $740.38 |
| Hourly | $18.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,500 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Retail Salesperson salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $36,610 | 66,920 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $123,770 | $59.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $88,420 | $42.51 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Travel Agent | $61,560 | $29.60 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $84,530 | $40.64 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for retail salespersons in District of Columbia is $38,500 a year, or $18.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in District of Columbia earn at least $49,530 a year. The top 25% earn $44,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,400 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $37,820 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in District of Columbia?
About 4,660 retail salespersons are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.