12 Highest-Paying Sales or Retail Jobs for 2024

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The retail industry isn’t just for teenagers looking to find part-time after-school work. Today’s retail employers know they must offer competitive wages and benefits to entice their employees to stay and improve customer service. This makes becoming a sales representative easier now than ever in this fast-paced environment.

Working in Retail: 12 Highest-Paying Jobs

Some retail positions are more worthwhile than others. These include positions that not only pay more but are also with companies that offer better benefits and employee perks than other prospects. Here are some of the highest-paying sales and retail positions.

1. Apple Genius Bar
2. Bergdorf Goodman
3. Trader Joe’s
4. Costco
5. The Container Store
6. CVS
7. Best Buy
8. H-E-B
9. Ulta
10. Sam’s Club
11. Macy’s
12. Starbucks

1. Apple Genius Bar

National average hourly rate for a Genius Bar employee: $16 per hour

Apple Genius Bar employees help customers with technical problems related to their Apple products. This is a complimentary service that the store provides. Due to the need for technical skills and knowledge, the store pays a competitive rate to Genius Bar workers.

2. Bergdorf Goodman

National average hourly rate for a stock associate sales position: $17 per hour

Bergdorf Goodman is owned by the Neiman Marcus Group, which puts it on the higher end of retailers on this list. Not only do employees get paid a fair hourly wage, but all full-time workers receive health insurance and retirement benefits as well as paid time off.

3. Trader Joe’s

National average hourly rate for a cashier or crew member: $17.75 per hour

This eclectic favorite of millennial shoppers offers more than just tasty treats. Employees are given competitive pay, a retirement plan, a store discount, health pay, paid time off and guaranteed promotions based on performance.

4. Costco

National average hourly rate for a cashier: $22 per hour

In addition to standard benefits, workers at Costco are given a free store membership for themselves and two more to give away to friends and family. As many items Costco sells are essentials this can also save you a good chunk of your monthly expenses. 

5. The Container Store

National average hourly rate for a retail sales associate: $18 per hour

At the Container Store, employees are offered standard benefits including medical, dental and vision. In addition to this, employees enjoy paid time off and generous store discounts. 

6. CVS

National average hourly rate for a cashier: $13 per hour

CVS offers a fair wage and benefits, but the company is set apart by its offer of personalized and holistic well-being programs to improve and maintain health.

7. Best Buy

National average hourly rate for sales representative: $29.59 per hour

In addition to an employee discount, Best Buy offers incentive pay, assistance for employees, and disaster or personal hardship relief.

8. H-E-B

National average hourly rate for a cashier: $14 per hour

This grocery chain’s employees, known as partners, enjoy a 10% discount and opportunities for stock options and a 401(k).

9. Ulta

National average hourly rate for a sales position: $23 per hour

At this beauty supply chain, all full-time associates are given benefits, paid time off and holiday pay. The pay for employees is well above the national average.

10. Sam’s Club

National average hourly rate for a cashier: $20 per hour

Sam’s Club, a competitor to the highly ranked Costco, offers its employees insurance and paid time off — which is accrued based on service hours and your time working with the company.

11. Macy’s

National average hourly rate for a sales associate: $16 per hour

Macy’s offers a unique benefit: it lets employees access their wages ahead of their payday. This is possible thanks to its partnership with Payactiv, employees can access up to 50% of what they’ve earned instantly.

12. Starbucks

National average hourly rate for a barista: $16 per hour

Starbucks is one of the highest paying on the list, and it’s well-known for offering employees discounts, generous insurance plans and paths to further their education.

Final Take To GO: Can You Make Good Money in Retail? 

The bottom line is that it is possible to make good money in retail. The key to earning a good salary is hard work, longevity with the same company, and making your way up from entry-level to managerial level. 

There are plenty of retail jobs out there willing to pay employees comfortable wages. So when you are choosing a new job, consider not only the wages but other offered benefits and perks to aid your work-life balance.

Monica White contributed to the reporting for this article.

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