50 Highest Paying Retail Jobs in the USA for 2024-2025
The search for highest paying retail jobs has become more prominent as people aim to balance rewarding work with competitive salaries. The US retail sector is as vast as it is diverse – groceries to premium stores. You have the jobs advertised as minimum wage, and you have the jobs that pay well, commissions well and benefits well. If you’re looking for financial stability, exploring the highest paying retail jobs in the U.S. is a great place to start. Retail jobs pay very well as it is very lucrative and rewarding to work there.
We’re talking about the highest paid retail jobs in this post — the ones with great pay, the opportunities for growth, and the ones that take place in busy environments. These will be helpful if you are new to the job market or are moving into a better paying one.
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50 Highest Paying Retail Jobs List
Understanding the market trends for highest paying retail jobs can help you secure a position that aligns with your financial goals. There are companies that excel at paying the best wage in the retail sector. They’re the ones where they get really competitive salaries and all the benefits and promotions. Here’s a longer rundown:
Here are the 50 highest paying retail jobs in the US with employer information and 2024-2025 hourly rates:
| Employer | Position | Hourly Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Apple Genius | $25.93 |
| Costco | Cashier | $17.88 |
| Nordstrom | Sales Associate | $12.50 – $17.30 |
| Amazon | Associate | $17.14 |
| Coach | Sales Associate | $15.00 |
| Saks Fifth Avenue | Sales Associate | $15.09 |
| Trader Joe’s | Crew Member | $11.27 – $21.49 |
| Lowe’s | Sales Associate | $11.26 – $21.45 |
| H-E-B | Sales Associate | $9.28 – $22.47 |
| Macy’s | Sales Associate | $13.00 – $20.00 |
| Best Buy | Sales Consultant | $11.00 – $20.00 |
| The Home Depot | Sales Associate | $11.00 – $19.00 |
| Whole Foods Market | Team Member | $15.00 – $21.00 |
| Target | Team Member | $15.00 – $24.00 |
| Walmart | Sales Associate | $12.00 – $18.00 |
| Sam’s Club | Sales Associate | $12.00 – $18.00 |
| Aldi | Store Associate | $14.00 – $20.00 |
| Starbucks | Barista | $15.00 – $23.00 |
| Sephora | Beauty Advisor | $13.00 – $20.00 |
| Ulta Beauty | Beauty Advisor | $12.00 – $19.00 |
| REI | Sales Specialist | $13.00 – $22.00 |
| Lululemon | Educator | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Nike | Athlete (Sales Associate) | $12.00 – $20.00 |
| Adidas | Sales Associate | $11.00 – $19.00 |
| Gap | Sales Associate | $10.00 – $18.00 |
| Old Navy | Sales Associate | $10.00 – $17.00 |
| Banana Republic | Sales Associate | $11.00 – $18.00 |
| J.Crew | Sales Associate | $12.00 – $19.00 |
| Anthropologie | Sales Associate | $11.00 – $18.00 |
| Urban Outfitters | Sales Associate | $10.00 – $17.00 |
| Free People | Sales Associate | $11.00 – $18.00 |
| Zara | Sales Associate | $12.00 – $20.00 |
| H&M | Sales Advisor | $11.00 – $18.00 |
| Uniqlo | Sales Associate | $12.00 – $19.00 |
| Bloomingdale’s | Sales Associate | $13.00 – $21.00 |
| Neiman Marcus | Sales Associate | $14.00 – $22.00 |
| Tiffany & Co. | Sales Professional | $20.00 – $30.00 |
| Louis Vuitton | Client Advisor | $22.00 – $35.00 |
| Gucci | Sales Associate | $20.00 – $33.00 |
| Chanel | Fashion Advisor | $25.00 – $40.00 |
| Hermès | Sales Associate | $23.00 – $38.00 |
| Ralph Lauren | Sales Associate | $15.00 – $25.00 |
| Burberry | Sales Associate | $18.00 – $30.00 |
| Cartier | Sales Associate | $25.00 – $40.00 |
| Rolex | Sales Associate | $28.00 – $45.00 |
| Omega | Sales Associate | $24.00 – $38.00 |
| Montblanc | Sales Associate | $20.00 – $35.00 |
| Swarovski | Sales Consultant | $15.00 – $25.00 |
Note: Hourly rates are for general guidance and vary based on location, experience, and store policy.
Retail positions are not all created equal — discover the highest paying retail jobs that offer lucrative salaries and growth opportunities.
Read more: 50 Brilliant Second Job Ideas for Extra Income
The Federal Minimum Wage for 2024-2025
The minimum wage in the United States is very much state-based, and reflects regional economic realities, living expenses and legislative agendas. Even though the federal minimum wage is still $7.25 an hour, most states have already raised their minimums in response to the rising cost of living. The District of Columbia and Washington are the top states in the US for minimum wages as of 1 January 2024.
Whether you’re new to retail or an experienced professional, knowing the highest paying retail jobs can guide your career decisions
Minimum Wages by State
District of Columbia: $17.00 per hour – Most expensive in the nation and you pay a premium for living in the country’s capital.
Washington: $16.28/hr – This progressive wage law matches the state’s intention to be fair to working-class people.
California: $15.50/hr – A large bump to deal with the state’s high rent and living expenses.
New York: $15.00 an hour (depending on location) – Very expensive in New York City, where prices for housing are some of the highest in the US.
Other states like Massachusetts, Oregon, and Colorado also have minimum wages over $14.00 as a trend toward higher rates of pay for low-wage employees continues to evolve.
The retail industry offers a wide range of roles, but the highest paying retail jobs truly stand out for their salaries and benefits.
Why Some Retailers Pay More
From luxury brands to top-tier retail chains, the highest paying retail jobs offer compelling options for job seekers. In this guide, we’ll explore the highest paying retail jobs, highlighting positions that go beyond the standard paycheck. Increasing wages means: In the eyes of most of the highest-wage retailers:
- Improved employee retention.
- Superior customer service – if you have the staff that is properly trained and motivated.
- Good PR, and socially savvy buyers.
Working out what the federal minimum wage means and how it relates to job search strategies can help you find a way around the stores and find opportunities with employers that go beyond the law. For those seeking lucrative opportunities, the highest paying retail jobs provide not only great wages but also room for advancement.
If financial growth is your priority, targeting the highest paying retail jobs is a smart career move.
Top-Paying Retail Positions
There are plenty of highest paying retail jobs, from direct sales to managerial responsibilities. With the right skills and strategy, landing one of the highest paying retail jobs can elevate your career in the retail sector. The top paying jobs are these:
- Store Manager
Managers of stores handle daily responsibilities, administration of staff, and store goals fulfillment. You’ll get $45,000 to $80,000 a year, depending on the company and location. There are bonuses and profit sharing programs for most store managers.
- Assistant Store Manager
As a second line of support for the store manager, tasks such as staff training, warehouse, and customer service are all performed. Store managers are paid $355,000-$60,000 per year with bonuses available in a successful store.
- Retail Buyer
Retail buyers buy and choose products to be sold in shops, which requires attention to fashion and negotiation. This is a $55,000-$90,000 per year job with benefits such as travel and industry events.
- District or Regional Manager
Many people are surprised to learn how much they can earn with the highest paying retail jobs available today. For example, district managers manage multiple stores with consistent sales, staffing and results. It pays $75,000- $120,000 a year, and includes some big bonuses on performance.
- Specialized Sales Associate
Salespeople working with high-ticket products, such as designer handbags, electronics, or furniture, will make even more through commission rates. This kind of work will usually be between $15 and $30 per hour with commissions and top performers earn more than $70,000 per year.
- Merchandiser
The role of merchandisers is to make sure the goods are on display and the stock is maintained. You get a starting salary of $40,000 to $65,000 a year for this job.
Cities to Work In for Highest paying Retail Jobs
Retail wages vary greatly from one location to another due to demand, cost of living, and economy. We break down the USA’s top retail jobs by city and state:
- New York City, NY
NYC is the retail capital of the country, and you will find luxury and high-end shopping opportunities all over the place. Some of the best pay is at flagship stores for luxury brands, such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co. in Manhattan.
- Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles is also the center of luxury shopping due to its high population and fashion industry. There are high-end sales jobs in Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive.
- San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is expensive to live in, and this makes retailers make a lot more than average money. The city has the enviable retail space that attracts cutting edge brands like Apple and Tesla.
- Seattle, WA
With Amazon and Nordstrom in Seattle, retail jobs are highly remunerated and there are many career opportunities within big retailers.
- Miami, FL
Miami’s top shopping districts — Bal Harbour Shops, the Design District — draw retailers offering good-paying retail jobs in fashion and jewelry.
- Chicago, IL
Chicago, a major Midwest centre, offers well-paying retail positions in the iconic retail strips of the Magnificent Mile.
- Dallas, TX
Dallas is one of the biggest retailers in the South, with top-rate wages in strip malls and designer stores serving the city’s increasingly wealthy residents.
- Boston, MA
Boston is the home of historic luxury and retail work, with great pay in both boutique and specialty shops.
- Las Vegas, NV
City’s tourism and high-end retail on the Las Vegas Strip also bring great compensation opportunities for sales associates at luxury brands.
- Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is a market that’s very fast growing and multi-ethnic and pays high wages in retailing hotbeds and shopping malls.
Factors that Impact Salaries in These Places
- Living Cost: Luxury City’s like NYC or San Francisco, high salary for cost of living.
- High Luxury Market Value: Luxury Retail Market: Cities with an enticing luxury market generally offer higher wages.
- Tourism and Business: Tourist attractions like Las Vegas and Miami attract high paying retail jobs.
- Corporate Location: States and cities with retail chain headquarters usually bring more jobs and higher wages.
Conclusions
The highest paying retail jobs are not only financially rewarding but also provide a platform for professional growth. Retail is filled with an uncountable number of opportunities for those that want a good paycheck, career advancement, and a great career.
When you can go for the best paying retail positions, not only will you be secure financially, but you will have jobs that are compatible with your skills and interests. From niche sales jobs to managerial positions, there are retail jobs in every industry for job seekers.
You’ll know what the differences in minimum wage, where jobs are available, and what company benefits you’re getting for sure that you’ll know which areas to target in your job search. The likes of Apple, Costco and Nordstrom illustrate how retail is a lucrative career path for people who can work hard and earn a good salary and put in the effort.
Identifying the highest paying retail jobs can help you navigate your career and find a role that matches your ambitions.
When technology, consumer habits and economic forces change the retail industry, there will be more chances for better pay and career growth than ever before.
You’re about to get into the workforce or advance your career and now is the perfect moment to dive into the highest paying retail jobs in the U.S. If you stay up to date, equip yourself and network smart, you can set yourself up for success in this fast-paced industry.
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