Retail Salesperson Salary in Rockford, IL
Retail Salespersons in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median $33,540 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,614 take-home, or $2,301 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Rockford, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,845
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,079
- Medicare (1.45%)$486
- Illinois income tax$1,515
- Take-home pay$27,614
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Rockford, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| Median (50th) | $33,540 | $16.13 | $27,614 | $2,301 |
| 75th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 | $29,951 | $2,496 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,000 | $22.60 | $37,763 | $3,147 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,540 buys in Rockford, IL
Prices in Rockford, IL are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 30% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $27,614 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,965 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 Rockford, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.86).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Rockford, IL ranks #71 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 |
| 71 | Rockford, IL | $33,540 | $27,614 | $29,965 |
*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 Illinois
- Peoria, IL — $33,870
- Springfield, IL — $33,450
- Chicago, IL — $35,820
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Rockford, IL?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Rockford, IL metro area is $33,540 a year, or about $16.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,200 and $36,640.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Rockford, IL?
On the median $33,540 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $27,614 a year ($2,301 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,515 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Rockford, IL a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,965 would in a typical U.S. city. Rockford, IL ranks #71 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Rockford, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rockford, IL is $895 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
- Cashier — $31,680