Retail Salesperson Salary in Athens, GA
Retail Salespersons in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median $29,240 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,780 take-home, or $2,065 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Athens, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,329
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,813
- Medicare (1.45%)$424
- Georgia income tax$895
- Take-home pay$24,780
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Athens, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,080 | $10.62 | $19,270 | $1,606 |
| 25th percentile | $26,170 | $12.58 | $22,426 | $1,869 |
| Median (50th) | $29,240 | $14.06 | $24,780 | $2,065 |
| 75th percentile | $35,530 | $17.08 | $29,507 | $2,459 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,380 | $21.82 | $36,910 | $3,076 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,240 buys in Athens, GA
Prices in Athens, GA are 6.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $24,780 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,547 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 Athens, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Athens, GA ranks #232 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 |
| 232 | Athens, GA | $29,240 | $24,780 | $26,547 |
*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 Georgia
- Gainesville, GA — $31,870
- Macon, GA — $28,820
- Warner Robins, GA — $30,650
- Atlanta, GA — $32,850
- Augusta, GA — $29,350
- Columbus, GA — $28,180
- Savannah, GA — $30,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Athens, GA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $29,240 a year, or about $14.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,170 and $35,530.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Athens, GA?
On the median $29,240 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $24,780 a year ($2,065 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $895 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Athens, GA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 6.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,547 would in a typical U.S. city. Athens, GA ranks #232 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Athens, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Athens, GA is $1,183 a month ($1,331 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.