Retail Salesperson Salary in Washington, DC
Retail Salespersons in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $36,610 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,566 take-home, or $2,547 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,213
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,270
- Medicare (1.45%)$531
- District of Columbia income tax$1,031
- Take-home pay$30,566
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,640 | $14.73 | $26,127 | $2,177 |
| 25th percentile | $34,350 | $16.51 | $28,885 | $2,407 |
| Median (50th) | $36,610 | $17.60 | $30,566 | $2,547 |
| 75th percentile | $39,730 | $19.10 | $32,885 | $2,740 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,800 | $22.98 | $38,885 | $3,240 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,610 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $30,566 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,072 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #178 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 |
| 178 | Washington, DC | $36,610 | $30,566 | $28,072 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $36,610 a year, or about $17.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,350 and $39,730.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $36,610 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $30,566 a year ($2,547 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,031 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,072 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #178 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 78% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $120,140
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $101,410
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $78,160
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $78,110
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $74,730
- Insurance Sales Agent — $65,260
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $64,300
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $50,530
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $48,010
- Parts Salesperson — $44,660
- Cashier — $35,470