Retail Salesperson Salary in Erie, PA
Retail Salespersons in the Erie, PA metro area earn a median $28,610 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,290 take-home, or $2,024 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Erie, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,253
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,774
- Medicare (1.45%)$415
- Pennsylvania income tax$878
- Take-home pay$24,290
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Erie, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,560 | $10.85 | $19,496 | $1,625 |
| 25th percentile | $26,310 | $12.65 | $22,469 | $1,872 |
| Median (50th) | $28,610 | $13.75 | $24,290 | $2,024 |
| 75th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 | $29,228 | $2,436 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,560 | $20.94 | $35,843 | $2,987 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,610 buys in Erie, PA
Prices in Erie, PA are 9.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 43% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $24,290 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,707 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 Erie, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.11).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Erie, PA ranks #231 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 |
| 231 | Erie, PA | $28,610 | $24,290 | $26,707 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Reading, PA — $33,010
- Philadelphia, PA — $34,810
- Pittsburgh, PA — $30,840
- Allentown, PA — $32,310
- Scranton, PA — $30,020
- York, PA — $30,480
- Harrisburg, PA — $30,500
- Lancaster, PA — $30,280
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Erie, PA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Erie, PA metro area is $28,610 a year, or about $13.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $26,310 and $35,000.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Erie, PA?
On the median $28,610 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $24,290 a year ($2,024 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $878 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Erie, PA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 9.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,707 would in a typical U.S. city. Erie, PA ranks #231 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Erie, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Erie, PA is $945 a month ($1,212 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Erie, PA
- Cashier — $28,340