Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of retail sales workers help customers find the products they want and process customers' payments.

Most retail sales workers work in clean, well-lit stores. Many sales workers work evenings and weekends. About 1 in 3 retail salespersons worked part time in 2014.

Typically, there are no formal education requirements for retail sales workers. Most receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months.

The median hourly wage for retail sales workers was $10.60 in May 2015.

Employment of retail sales workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Many workers leave this occupation, which means there will be a large number of job openings.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for retail sales workers.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of retail sales workers with similar occupations.

Learn more about retail sales workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.