Retail Salesperson Salary in Bowling Green, KY
Retail Salespersons in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median $28,430 a year — 20% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,145 take-home, or $2,012 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Bowling Green, KY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,233
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,763
- Medicare (1.45%)$412
- Kentucky income tax$877
- Take-home pay$24,145
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.50% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Bowling Green, KY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,910 | $10.53 | $19,004 | $1,584 |
| 25th percentile | $24,710 | $11.88 | $21,211 | $1,768 |
| Median (50th) | $28,430 | $13.67 | $24,145 | $2,012 |
| 75th percentile | $34,520 | $16.60 | $28,826 | $2,402 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,670 | $18.11 | $31,247 | $2,604 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kentucky resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,430 buys in Bowling Green, KY
Prices in Bowling Green, KY are 9.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 37% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $24,145 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,774 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bowling Green, KY has 1.3× the national concentration of retail salesperson jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Bowling Green, KY ranks #229 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 |
| 229 | Bowling Green, KY | $28,430 | $24,145 | $26,774 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Kentucky
- Louisville, KY — $30,660
- Lexington, KY — $30,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Bowling Green, KY?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $28,430 a year, or about $13.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,710 and $34,520.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Bowling Green, KY?
On the median $28,430 salary, a single filer living in Kentucky takes home about $24,145 a year ($2,012 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $877 in Kentucky taxes in 2026.
Is Bowling Green, KY a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 20% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 9.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,774 would in a typical U.S. city. Bowling Green, KY ranks #229 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Bowling Green, KY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bowling Green, KY is $937 a month ($1,115 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.