Retail Salesperson salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Retail Salespersons in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $32,580 a year ($15.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,060 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is 2% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $31,950. There are 28 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,760 | $11.42 |
| 25th percentile | $28,110 | $13.51 |
| Median | $32,580 | $15.67 |
| 75th percentile | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Average (mean) | $35,140 | $16.89 |
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 | $2,715 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,357.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,253.08 |
| Weekly | $626.54 |
| Hourly | $15.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,580 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 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,160 | 1,230 |
| Morristown, TN | $31,750 | 1,190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $31,460 | 7,020 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $31,200 | 3,620 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,150 | 12,430 |
| Jackson, TN | $30,990 | 2,390 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,300 | 7,940 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,820 | 2,330 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $29,150 | 10,620 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $29,100 | 3,470 |
| Jackson, MS | $29,070 | 8,770 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $28,960 | 1,940 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $28,880 | 5,380 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $28,700 | 1,650 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $28,410 | 2,600 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $28,350 | 2,880 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $27,890 | 1,620 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $37,430 | $17.99 |
| Parts Salesperson | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $58,500 | $28.12 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $96,940 | $46.61 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $81,120 | $39.00 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Telemarketer | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $39,550 | $19.01 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $32,580 a year, or $15.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $47,060 a year. The top 25% earn $37,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,760 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $28,110 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 17,050 retail salespersons are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.