Retail Salesperson Salary in Appleton, WI
Retail Salespersons in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median $34,540 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,194 take-home, or $2,433 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Appleton, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,965
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,141
- Medicare (1.45%)$501
- Wisconsin income tax$739
- Take-home pay$29,194
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Appleton, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,480 | $13.21 | $23,791 | $1,983 |
| 25th percentile | $29,280 | $14.08 | $25,195 | $2,100 |
| Median (50th) | $34,540 | $16.61 | $29,194 | $2,433 |
| 75th percentile | $37,830 | $18.19 | $31,693 | $2,641 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,410 | $22.79 | $38,969 | $3,247 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,540 buys in Appleton, WI
Prices in Appleton, WI are 7.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $29,194 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,589 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 Appleton, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Appleton, WI ranks #15 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 |
| 15 | Appleton, WI | $34,540 | $29,194 | $31,589 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Eau Claire, WI — $34,000
- Madison, WI — $35,830
- Green Bay, WI — $34,090
- Milwaukee, WI — $34,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Appleton, WI?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Appleton, WI metro area is $34,540 a year, or about $16.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,280 and $37,830.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Appleton, WI?
On the median $34,540 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $29,194 a year ($2,433 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $739 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 7.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,589 would in a typical U.S. city. Appleton, WI ranks #15 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Appleton, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Appleton, WI is $960 a month ($1,236 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
- Cashier — $31,610