Retail Salesperson Salary in Roanoke, VA
Retail Salespersons in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median $30,440 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,702 take-home, or $2,142 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Roanoke, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,473
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,887
- Medicare (1.45%)$441
- Virginia income tax$936
- Take-home pay$25,702
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Roanoke, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,540 | $12.76 | $22,753 | $1,896 |
| 25th percentile | $27,700 | $13.32 | $23,642 | $1,970 |
| Median (50th) | $30,440 | $14.63 | $25,702 | $2,142 |
| 75th percentile | $35,650 | $17.14 | $29,589 | $2,466 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,460 | $21.38 | $36,161 | $3,013 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,440 buys in Roanoke, VA
Prices in Roanoke, VA are 6.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $25,702 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,454 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 Roanoke, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Roanoke, VA ranks #212 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 |
| 212 | Roanoke, VA | $30,440 | $25,702 | $27,454 |
*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 Virginia
- Lynchburg, VA — $30,570
- Charlottesville, VA — $34,210
- Richmond, VA — $33,580
- Virginia Beach, VA — $30,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Roanoke, VA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $30,440 a year, or about $14.63 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,700 and $35,650.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Roanoke, VA?
On the median $30,440 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $25,702 a year ($2,142 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $936 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 6.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,454 would in a typical U.S. city. Roanoke, VA ranks #212 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Roanoke, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Roanoke, VA is $1,020 a month ($1,200 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Roanoke, VA
- Cashier — $29,060