Retail Salesperson Salary in Memphis, TN
Retail Salespersons in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median $32,580 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,358 take-home, or $2,363 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Memphis, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,730
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,020
- Medicare (1.45%)$472
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$28,358
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Memphis, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,760 | $11.42 | $21,176 | $1,765 |
| 25th percentile | $28,110 | $13.51 | $24,759 | $2,063 |
| Median (50th) | $32,580 | $15.66 | $28,358 | $2,363 |
| 75th percentile | $37,080 | $17.83 | $31,974 | $2,664 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,060 | $22.63 | $39,993 | $3,333 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,580 buys in Memphis, TN
Prices in Memphis, TN are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 20% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $28,358 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,764 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 Memphis, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Memphis, TN ranks #31 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 |
| 31 | Memphis, TN | $32,580 | $28,358 | $30,764 |
*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 Tennessee
- Jackson, TN — $30,990
- Kingsport, TN — $31,200
- Nashville, TN — $34,420
- Chattanooga, TN — $31,460
- Knoxville, TN — $31,150
- Clarksville, TN — $29,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Memphis, TN?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $32,580 a year, or about $15.66 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,110 and $37,080.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Memphis, TN?
On the median $32,580 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $28,358 a year ($2,363 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,764 would in a typical U.S. city. Memphis, TN ranks #31 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Memphis, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN is $1,137 a month ($1,263 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.