Retail Salesperson Salary in Nashville, TN
Retail Salespersons in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $34,420 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,836 take-home, or $2,486 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,950
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,134
- Medicare (1.45%)$499
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,836
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,230 | $12.61 | $23,210 | $1,934 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 | $25,578 | $2,131 |
| Median (50th) | $34,420 | $16.55 | $29,836 | $2,486 |
| 75th percentile | $37,880 | $18.21 | $32,617 | $2,718 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,930 | $24.00 | $42,299 | $3,525 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,420 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $29,836 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,971 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 Nashville, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Nashville, TN ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Nashville, TN | $34,420 | $29,836 | $30,971 |
*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 Tennessee
- Jackson, TN — $30,990
- Kingsport, TN — $31,200
- Memphis, TN — $32,580
- Chattanooga, TN — $31,460
- Knoxville, TN — $31,150
- Clarksville, TN — $29,100
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Nashville, TN?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $34,420 a year, or about $16.55 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,120 and $37,880.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $34,420 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $29,836 a year ($2,486 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,971 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #27 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Nashville, TN
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $99,600
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $63,800
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $62,930
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $60,590
- Insurance Sales Agent — $57,140
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $51,990
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $39,890
- Cashier — $30,570