Retail Salesperson Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Retail Salespersons in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $34,410 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,095 take-home, or $2,425 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,949
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,133
- Medicare (1.45%)$499
- Wisconsin income tax$733
- Take-home pay$29,095
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 Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,850 | $13.39 | $24,083 | $2,007 |
| 25th percentile | $29,200 | $14.04 | $25,133 | $2,094 |
| Median (50th) | $34,410 | $16.54 | $29,095 | $2,425 |
| 75th percentile | $37,330 | $17.95 | $31,313 | $2,609 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.93 | $39,189 | $3,266 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,410 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $29,095 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,015 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 Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.92).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #68 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 |
| 68 | Milwaukee, WI | $34,410 | $29,095 | $30,015 |
*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
- Appleton, WI — $34,540
- Eau Claire, WI — $34,000
- Madison, WI — $35,830
- Green Bay, WI — $34,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $34,410 a year, or about $16.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,200 and $37,330.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $34,410 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $29,095 a year ($2,425 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $733 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,015 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #68 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $75,000
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $73,880
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $64,890
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,390
- Cashier — $30,400