First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: Salary 2025 & Career Outlook
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers earn a national median salary of $48,520 per year, or about $23 per hour. The typical range runs from $33,120 at the 10th percentile to $77,080 at the 90th. That puts the occupation squarely in middle-income territory, but pay varies sharply by state and employer.
How much First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers earn
The mean annual wage for the occupation is $53,380, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' OEWS survey. Most of the 1,121,800 supervisors nationwide work full time, and about one in four are union members or covered by a union contract.
Top earners in the 90th percentile pull in more than $77,000, while starting supervisors near the 10th percentile earn around $33,120. Experience, store size, and commission structures heavily influence where a supervisor lands within that range.
Pay by state
Washington tops the list at $60,750, followed by Rhode Island ($58,570), District of Columbia ($58,470), New York ($58,300), and Colorado ($58,200). At the low end, Kentucky averages $40,080, West Virginia $39,740, and Arkansas $36,950. That's a gap of nearly $24,000 between the highest and lowest states.
Cost of living partly explains these differences. Washington and New York have relatively high wages, but also high housing and tax burdens. The bottom three states all have below-average living costs.
How to become First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Worker
Most retail supervisors start as sales associates and work up. A high school diploma is the typical entry requirement, but some employers prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree in business or retail management. On-the-job training is common, covering inventory systems, scheduling, and customer service protocols.
Steps to get hired often include: 1) Gain 1–3 years of retail sales experience. 2) Apply for open supervisor positions at your current store or elsewhere. 3) Pass a background check and possibly a drug screening. 4) Complete store-specific training on cash handling, scheduling, and safety procedures. No state license is required, though some large chains offer internal certification programs.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; college degree can help.
- 1–3 years of retail experience typical.
- On-the-job training; no mandatory certification.
Job outlook
Employment of first-line supervisors of retail sales workers is projected to decline 5% from 2024 to 2034. That's a loss of about 56,000 positions, driven by automation and self-checkout systems reducing the need for supervisory oversight. However, about 125,100 openings per year are expected due to workers retiring or leaving the occupation.
The best opportunities will be at large discount retailers and superstores that still rely on human managers. Small boutiques and specialty stores are shrinking fastest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the salary of a First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers in 2025?
The national median salary is $48,520 per year ($23 per hour), with a typical range of $33,120 to $77,080 according to BLS data.
How do I become a First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers?
Start as a retail sales associate and gain 1–3 years of experience. Most positions require a high school diploma; an associate's or bachelor's degree in business can improve chances. On-the-job training covers inventory, scheduling, and customer service.
Is the job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers good?
No. Employment is projected to decline 5% from 2024 to 2034 due to automation. However, about 125,100 openings per year will arise from workers leaving the field.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers data.