Retail Salesperson Salary in Providence, RI
Retail Salespersons in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $35,230 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,783 take-home, or $2,482 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,048
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,184
- Medicare (1.45%)$511
- Rhode Island income tax$704
- Take-home pay$29,783
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. 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 Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,696 | $2,225 |
| 25th percentile | $32,020 | $15.39 | $27,324 | $2,277 |
| Median (50th) | $35,230 | $16.94 | $29,783 | $2,482 |
| 75th percentile | $37,850 | $18.20 | $31,790 | $2,649 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,570 | $22.39 | $38,469 | $3,206 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,230 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $29,783 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,264 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 Providence, RI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #99 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 |
| 99 | Providence, RI | $35,230 | $29,783 | $29,264 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Providence, RI?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $35,230 a year, or about $16.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,020 and $37,850.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $35,230 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $29,783 a year ($2,482 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $704 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,264 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #99 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.