Retail Salesperson Salary in St. Louis, MO
Retail Salespersons in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $33,820 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,702 take-home, or $2,392 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,878
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,097
- Medicare (1.45%)$490
- Missouri income tax$652
- Take-home pay$28,702
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,670 | $14.26 | $25,563 | $2,130 |
| 25th percentile | $30,990 | $14.90 | $26,561 | $2,213 |
| Median (50th) | $33,820 | $16.26 | $28,702 | $2,392 |
| 75th percentile | $37,420 | $17.99 | $31,426 | $2,619 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,490 | $22.83 | $39,044 | $3,254 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,820 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $28,702 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,185 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 St. Louis, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #120 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot, ND | $35,290 | $30,536 | $35,087 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $36,730 | $31,693 | $34,818 |
| 3 | Wildwood, FL | $34,290 | $29,732 | $34,805 |
| 4 | Grand Forks, ND | $34,440 | $29,853 | $34,447 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $38,680 | $33,259 | $34,096 |
| 7 | Lewiston, ID | $37,010 | $31,064 | $34,077 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 120 | St. Louis, MO | $33,820 | $28,702 | $30,185 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Missouri
- St. Joseph, MO — $31,770
- Kansas City, MO — $34,320
- Joplin, MO — $30,740
- Springfield, MO — $31,760
- Cape Girardeau, MO — $30,250
- Columbia, MO — $31,390
- Jefferson City, MO — $30,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in St. Louis, MO?
The median retail salesperson salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $33,820 a year, or about $16.26 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,990 and $37,420.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $33,820 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $28,702 a year ($2,392 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $652 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,185 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #120 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $94,840
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $85,490
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $79,300
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $64,590
- Advertising Sales Agent — $64,070
- Real Estate Broker — $63,210
- Insurance Sales Agent — $62,080
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $60,860
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,020
- Travel Agent — $46,460
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $45,500
- Parts Salesperson — $42,890