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Retail Salespersons

Sales and Related (41-2031)
Bright Outlook

Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

At a Glance

Retail Salespersons earns a median of $34,580/yr with -0.5% projected growth. Typical entry: No formal educational credential. Top skills: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public, Adobe Photoshop, Apple macOS.

Median Annual Wage

$34,580/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

-0.5%

Annual Openings

556

Typical Education

No formal educational credential

Skills & Requirements

Skills (6)

Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.9
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.8
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.8
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.8
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.5
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

3.5

Knowledge (3)

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

4.5
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.3
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.7

Abilities (4)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.9
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.6
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.6

Technology (22)

Adobe Photoshop

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Apple macOS

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

4.5
Oracle PeopleSoft

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SharePoint

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Illustrator

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Eclipse IDE

Category: Development environment software | Hot Technology

4.5
Autodesk AutoCAD

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Creative Cloud software

Category: Graphics or photo imaging software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe InDesign

Category: Desktop publishing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
SAP software

Category: Enterprise resource planning ERP software | Hot Technology

4.5
Intuit QuickBooks

Category: Accounting software | Hot Technology

4.5
Google Docs

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (13)

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.7
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

4.4
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.1
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

3.6
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.6
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

3.5
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.5
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.4
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.4
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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