Retail Salesperson Salary in Wilmington, NC
Retail Salespersons in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median $30,790 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,200 take-home, or $2,183 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Wilmington, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,515
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,909
- Medicare (1.45%)$446
- North Carolina income tax$720
- Take-home pay$26,200
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Wilmington, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,820 | $10.97 | $20,000 | $1,667 |
| 25th percentile | $27,510 | $13.23 | $23,676 | $1,973 |
| Median (50th) | $30,790 | $14.80 | $26,200 | $2,183 |
| 75th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 | $30,552 | $2,546 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,910 | $22.07 | $37,746 | $3,145 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,790 buys in Wilmington, NC
Prices in Wilmington, NC are 3.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 7% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median retail salesperson's $26,200 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,172 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Wilmington, NC has 1.3× the national concentration of retail salesperson jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Wilmington, NC ranks #358 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 |
| 358 | Wilmington, NC | $30,790 | $26,200 | $27,172 |
*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 North Carolina
- Asheville, NC — $34,110
- Hickory, NC — $30,520
- Charlotte, NC — $33,580
- Pinehurst, NC — $30,020
- Goldsboro, NC — $29,960
- Raleigh, NC — $33,100
- Greenville, NC — $29,250
- Fayetteville, NC — $30,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Wilmington, NC?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $30,790 a year, or about $14.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,510 and $36,490.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Wilmington, NC?
On the median $30,790 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $26,200 a year ($2,183 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $720 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 3.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,172 would in a typical U.S. city. Wilmington, NC ranks #358 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson afford rent in Wilmington, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wilmington, NC is $1,380 a month ($1,512 for two bedrooms) — 63% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $64,520
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $63,510
- Insurance Sales Agent — $59,880
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $58,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,270
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $42,260
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $37,900
- Cashier — $28,520