Retail Salesperson Salary in Rochester, NY
Retail Salespersons in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $34,650 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,747 take-home, or $2,396 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,978
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,148
- Medicare (1.45%)$502
- New York income tax$1,274
- Take-home pay$28,747
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,941 | $2,245 |
| 25th percentile | $33,210 | $15.97 | $27,668 | $2,306 |
| Median (50th) | $34,650 | $16.66 | $28,747 | $2,396 |
| 75th percentile | $37,890 | $18.22 | $31,176 | $2,598 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,910 | $24.00 | $40,185 | $3,349 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,650 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $28,747 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,626 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.00).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #82 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 |
| 82 | Rochester, NY | $34,650 | $28,747 | $29,626 |
*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 New York
- Utica, NY — $34,530
- Binghamton, NY — $34,460
- Syracuse, NY — $35,250
- Buffalo, NY — $34,910
- Albany, NY — $35,420
- New York, NY — $38,280
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $36,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Rochester, NY?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $34,650 a year, or about $16.66 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,210 and $37,890.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $34,650 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $28,747 a year ($2,396 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,274 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,626 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #82 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.