Retail Salesperson Salary in Denver, CO
Retail Salespersons in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $38,470 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,106 take-home, or $2,676 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,436
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,385
- Medicare (1.45%)$558
- Colorado income tax$984
- Take-home pay$32,106
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 Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,700 | $16.68 | $29,243 | $2,437 |
| 25th percentile | $36,660 | $17.63 | $30,732 | $2,561 |
| Median (50th) | $38,470 | $18.50 | $32,106 | $2,676 |
| 75th percentile | $44,570 | $21.43 | $36,739 | $3,062 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,130 | $23.62 | $40,203 | $3,350 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,470 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $32,106 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,351 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #51 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 |
| 51 | Denver, CO | $38,470 | $32,106 | $30,351 |
*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 Colorado
- Greeley, CO — $36,670
- Boulder, CO — $38,700
- Fort Collins, CO — $36,640
- Colorado Springs, CO — $36,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Denver, CO?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $38,470 a year, or about $18.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,660 and $44,570.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $38,470 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $32,106 a year ($2,676 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $984 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,351 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #51 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 66% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $136,100
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $115,390
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $81,060
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $80,650
- Insurance Sales Agent — $77,590
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $66,940
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $63,110
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $59,100
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $46,900
- Cashier — $37,620