Retail Salesperson Salary in Hickory, NC
Retail Salespersons in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median $30,520 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,994 take-home, or $2,166 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Hickory, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,482
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,892
- Medicare (1.45%)$443
- North Carolina income tax$709
- Take-home pay$25,994
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Hickory, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,500 | $10.82 | $19,750 | $1,646 |
| 25th percentile | $27,140 | $13.05 | $23,386 | $1,949 |
| Median (50th) | $30,520 | $14.67 | $25,994 | $2,166 |
| 75th percentile | $36,550 | $17.57 | $30,598 | $2,550 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,700 | $21.97 | $37,585 | $3,132 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,520 buys in Hickory, NC
Prices in Hickory, NC are 11.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 40% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $25,994 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,376 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 Hickory, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Hickory, NC ranks #95 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 |
| 95 | Hickory, NC | $30,520 | $25,994 | $29,376 |
*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 North Carolina
- Asheville, NC — $34,110
- Charlotte, NC — $33,580
- Raleigh, NC — $33,100
- Greenville, NC — $29,250
- Fayetteville, NC — $30,440
- Greensboro, NC — $30,750
- Winston, NC — $30,100
- Durham, NC — $31,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Hickory, NC?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $30,520 a year, or about $14.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,140 and $36,550.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Hickory, NC?
On the median $30,520 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $25,994 a year ($2,166 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $709 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Hickory, NC a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 11.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,376 would in a typical U.S. city. Hickory, NC ranks #95 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Hickory, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hickory, NC is $908 a month ($1,095 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Hickory, NC
- Cashier — $27,570