Retail Salesperson salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Retail Salespersons in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $31,200 a year ($15.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,850 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $31,950. There are 30 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,250 | $11.66 |
| 25th percentile | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Median | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 75th percentile | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Average (mean) | $33,700 | $16.20 |
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 | $2,600 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,300 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,200 |
| Weekly | $600 |
| Hourly | $15.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $36,610 | 66,920 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,420 | 28,580 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,210 | 2,540 |
| Richmond, VA | $33,580 | 16,210 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $33,440 | 1,520 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $33,350 | 1,980 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $32,580 | 17,050 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,160 | 1,230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $31,780 | 1,690 |
| Morristown, TN | $31,750 | 1,190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $31,460 | 7,020 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,150 | 12,430 |
| Jackson, TN | $30,990 | 2,390 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $30,820 | 20,890 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $30,780 | 2,290 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $30,570 | 2,950 |
| Roanoke, VA | $30,440 | 4,230 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,820 | 2,330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,100 | 3,470 |
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $27,420 | $13.19 |
| Parts Salesperson | $35,320 | $16.98 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $56,680 | $27.25 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $46,830 | $22.51 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $94,130 | $45.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $81,280 | $39.08 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Real Estate Broker | $45,250 | $21.76 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $59,480 | $28.60 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $31,200 a year, or $15.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $45,850 a year. The top 25% earn $35,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,250 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $27,540 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 3,620 retail salespersons are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.