Retail Salesperson Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Retail Salespersons in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median $29,630 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,771 take-home, or $2,064 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Tuscaloosa, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,376
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,837
- Medicare (1.45%)$430
- Alabama income tax$1,217
- Take-home pay$24,771
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 | $19,155 | $1,596 |
| 25th percentile | $27,100 | $13.03 | $22,837 | $1,903 |
| Median (50th) | $29,630 | $14.25 | $24,771 | $2,064 |
| 75th percentile | $35,840 | $17.23 | $29,450 | $2,454 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,170 | $21.24 | $35,727 | $2,977 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,630 buys in Tuscaloosa, AL
Prices in Tuscaloosa, AL are 12.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 42% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $24,771 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,238 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 Tuscaloosa, AL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Tuscaloosa, AL ranks #161 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 |
| 161 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $29,630 | $24,771 | $28,238 |
*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 Alabama
- Huntsville, AL — $33,120
- Dothan, AL — $28,770
- Birmingham, AL — $31,450
- Mobile, AL — $29,710
- Montgomery, AL — $29,650
- Daphne, AL — $29,600
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $29,630 a year, or about $14.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,100 and $35,840.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Tuscaloosa, AL?
On the median $29,630 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $24,771 a year ($2,064 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,217 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 12.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,238 would in a typical U.S. city. Tuscaloosa, AL ranks #161 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Tuscaloosa, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tuscaloosa, AL is $943 a month ($1,141 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Cashier — $28,110