Retail Salesperson salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Retail Salespersons in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $34,410 a year ($16.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,850 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $35,410. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $34,480. There are 23 retail salespersons per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for retail salespersons in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| 25th percentile | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Median | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| 75th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Average (mean) | $36,300 | $17.45 |
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 | $2,867.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,433.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,323.46 |
| Weekly | $661.73 |
| Hourly | $16.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,670 | 51,180 |
| Madison, WI | $35,830 | 8,330 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $35,370 | 1,210 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $34,650 | 3,490 |
| Appleton, WI | $34,540 | 3,610 |
| Wausau, WI | $34,160 | 1,660 |
| Green Bay, WI | $34,090 | 4,120 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $34,090 | 2,290 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $34,000 | 2,650 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $34,000 | 1,670 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $33,640 | 1,040 |
| Kenosha, WI | $33,580 | 2,280 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $32,690 | 1,800 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $30,970 | 2,340 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cashier | $30,400 | $14.61 |
| Counter and Rental Clerks | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Parts Salesperson | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Insurance Sales Agent | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Real Estate Sales Agent | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $92,090 | $44.27 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Sales Engineer | $119,950 | $57.67 |
| Advertising Sales Agent | $66,790 | $32.11 |
| Travel Agent | $48,030 | $23.09 |
More: Sales and Related Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for retail salespersons in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $34,410 a year, or $16.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid retail salespersons make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of retail salespersons in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $47,700 a year. The top 25% earn $37,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for retail salespersons in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,850 a year, and a quarter of retail salespersons earn $29,200 or less.
How many retail salespersons work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 18,850 retail salespersons are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.