How much does a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers make?
The median first-line supervisor of retail sales workers in the United States earns $48,520 per year, about $23.33 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of retail sales workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 41-1011.
First-line supervisor of retail sales workers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,120 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $77,080. The average (mean) wage of $53,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,120 | $15.92 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,590 | $18.55 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,520 | $23.33 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,130 | $29.87 | |
| 90th percentile | $77,080 | $37.06 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers (SOC 41-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
First-line supervisor of retail sales workers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers earn the most in Washington at $60,750 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $36,950. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $60,750 | 27,640 |
| Rhode Island | $58,570 | 3,880 |
| District of Columbia | $58,470 | 1,470 |
| New York | $58,300 | 50,830 |
| Colorado | $58,200 | 26,390 |
| Massachusetts | $57,490 | 20,240 |
| New Jersey | $57,320 | 31,160 |
| Alaska | $57,080 | 3,030 |
| South Dakota | $56,680 | 3,660 |
| Connecticut | $56,510 | 13,910 |
| Hawaii | $55,850 | 6,580 |
| Vermont | $55,760 | 2,310 |
| Delaware | $55,710 | 4,200 |
| California | $54,870 | 109,180 |
| Maine | $53,580 | 5,760 |
| New Hampshire | $51,650 | 6,610 |
| Oregon | $50,660 | 13,940 |
| Wisconsin | $49,550 | 17,750 |
| North Dakota | $49,350 | 2,640 |
| Montana | $49,300 | 5,830 |
| Minnesota | $48,770 | 21,530 |
| Florida | $48,410 | 80,470 |
| Arizona | $48,010 | 20,260 |
| Illinois | $47,990 | 36,940 |
| Virginia | $47,990 | 32,250 |
| Tennessee | $47,880 | 26,470 |
| Indiana | $47,790 | 22,090 |
| South Carolina | $47,770 | 19,390 |
| North Carolina | $47,760 | 39,890 |
| Utah | $47,470 | 10,270 |
| Maryland | $47,000 | 23,080 |
| Kansas | $46,950 | 9,250 |
| Nevada | $46,900 | 10,500 |
| Missouri | $46,860 | 19,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,690 | 40,970 |
| Iowa | $46,610 | 9,970 |
| New Mexico | $46,550 | 7,660 |
| Michigan | $46,430 | 30,750 |
| Texas | $46,280 | 103,410 |
| Georgia | $46,150 | 36,900 |
| Idaho | $46,140 | 7,330 |
| Wyoming | $45,980 | 3,060 |
| Mississippi | $45,760 | 13,020 |
| Ohio | $45,680 | 39,110 |
| Oklahoma | $45,430 | 15,340 |
| Nebraska | $45,280 | 7,010 |
| Alabama | $44,860 | 25,020 |
| Louisiana | $43,860 | 16,910 |
| Kentucky | $40,080 | 18,290 |
| West Virginia | $39,740 | 7,420 |
| Arkansas | $36,950 | 11,050 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers (SOC 41-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.7%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,419,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 1,367,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 113,500 openings a year for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers earns
Commission structure, product, employer, and territory drive a wide pay spread. Top performers in high ticket sales earn far above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $60,750) and the lowest (Arkansas, $36,950) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 1,121,800 people work as first-line supervisors of retail sales workers in the United States. At $48,520 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of retail sales workers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers is $23.33. The middle half of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers earn between $18.55 and $29.87 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of retail sales workers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers earn more than $77,080 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers is $48,520. The average (mean) wage of $53,380 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers a well paid job?
At $48,520 a year, a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 1,121,800 people work as first-line supervisors of retail sales workers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of retail sales workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers at $60,750 a year. Rhode Island ($58,570) and District of Columbia ($58,470) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers is projected to shrink 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 113,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of retail sales workers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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