Sales · SOC 41-2031
Retail salespersons
BLS projects 3,998,100 jobs in 2025 to become 3,984,100 by 2035 — -0.3%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
-0.3%
projected change to 2035
About 14,000 fewer jobs
520,600
openings a year
13.0% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$35,410
median annual pay
Usually entered with: no formal educational credential
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment3,998,100
- 2035 projected3,984,100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other sales occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Cashiers3,106,300-6.5%
- First-line supervisors of retail sales workers1,419,800-3.7%
- Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products1,279,400-0.9%
- Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel1,272,700+2.7%
- Insurance sales agents572,600+3.3%
- Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents531,000+1.4%
- Real estate sales agents427,000+1.7%
- Counter and rental clerks409,400+3.0%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.