Retail Salesperson Salary in Albany, NY
Retail Salespersons in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median $35,420 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,324 take-home, or $2,444 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Albany, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,070
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,196
- Medicare (1.45%)$514
- New York income tax$1,316
- Take-home pay$29,324
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Albany, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,941 | $2,245 |
| 25th percentile | $33,870 | $16.28 | $28,163 | $2,347 |
| Median (50th) | $35,420 | $17.03 | $29,324 | $2,444 |
| 75th percentile | $38,310 | $18.42 | $31,490 | $2,624 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,070 | $24.07 | $40,304 | $3,359 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,420 buys in Albany, NY
Prices in Albany, NY are 0.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $29,324 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,452 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Albany, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Albany, NY ranks #88 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 88 | Albany, NY | $35,420 | $29,324 | $29,452 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in New York
- Utica, NY — $34,530
- Binghamton, NY — $34,460
- Syracuse, NY — $35,250
- Buffalo, NY — $34,910
- Rochester, NY — $34,650
- New York, NY — $38,280
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $36,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Albany, NY?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $35,420 a year, or about $17.03 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,870 and $38,310.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Albany, NY?
On the median $35,420 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $29,324 a year ($2,444 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,316 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Albany, NY a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 0.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,452 would in a typical U.S. city. Albany, NY ranks #88 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Albany, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Albany, NY is $1,417 a month ($1,702 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.