Do you want to work in the retail sector?
Working in the retail sector is the most common first job for many people. Approximately 32 percent of the people chose the retail industry as their first working experience. Six out of ten Americans have worked in retail at some point, which explains why the industry is so popular.
The retail sector offers salaries that are beyond what other sectors provide. While the wages might not be skyrocketing for the entry-level, experienced professionals are well compensated.
Read on to find out the highest paying retail jobs and some FAQs related to them.
- What are retail jobs?
- How much is the retail jobs salary?
- What are the highest paying retail jobs?
- What are the best retail companies to work for?
- How to find the highest paying retail jobs?
- Tips to find highest paying retail jobs
What are Retail Jobs?
The retail sector involves the selling of finished products to customers. For this, many professions are crucial to the industry. It includes cashiers, salespeople, clerks, stockers, warehouse workers, managers, and others.
Working in a retail job would require skills specific to the respective profession. For example, if you are into sales, you need to have strong communication skills; for the customer service manager role, you must be good at building interpersonal relationships.
However, retail jobs require basic skills like organizational abilities, multi-tasking skills, and time management.
Also Read: How to write an impeccable retail resume in 2022?
Retail Job Salary
The salary in the retail sector will largely depend on the job profile for which you are applying. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average retail worker earns $13 per hour and $27,000 per year with only primary education.
If you are applying for an entry-level job profile like cashier or clerk, the salary will be relatively less, but if you are applying for retail management jobs, you will be compensated handsomely.
For entry-level, the average salary ranges from $29,503 to $47,000. There are options to advance your career in retail, and with years of experience, the pay can increase to $77,000.
If you are an experienced professional, the average salary will range between $80,000 to $96,000. You can continuously evolve yourself by upskilling and applying to the best retail companies.
Also Read: What are the high-paying entry-level jobs in 2022?
What are the Highest Paying Retail Jobs
Some job roles pay more than others. For example, a managerial position will pay more than an entry-level position. Therefore your earnings will vary based on your skills, experience, and the job title you are applying for.
Given below are some of the highest paying retail jobs with their salary, responsibility, and qualifications that you can keep on your radar:
1. Cosmetic Consultant
Cosmetic consultants help the customers choose a variety of beauty products that would enhance their skin and hair. They also give a few tips on how to apply them to get the best results.
Average pay: $43,000 annually
Qualification: Diploma and a cosmetology license
2. Pharmacy Technician
A pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist throughout their shift. They help them with maintaining the ongoing medication inventory, place medication orders, and disburse prescriptions to patients if and when required.
Average pay: $33,000 annually
Qualification: Higher education diploma
3. Purchasing Agent
The purchasing agent, also known as the buyer, keeps track of all the items needed for retail sales. It could entail working with suppliers to place orders, developing connections with them, and monitoring the delivery of the goods ordered to ensure safe arrival.
Average pay: $60,000 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field
Also Read: How to write an exceptional purchasing agent resume?
4. Loss Prevention Manager
Loss Prevention managers are responsible for preventing theft from occurring. If in case it happens, they investigate and resolve it. They also maintain and improve a company’s safety program.
Average pay: $38,000 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in a crime-related field
5. Operational Manager
The operational manager creates, facilitates, and revises training programs and existing rules to satisfy the shifting interests of the firm. By addressing the workforce's issues and creating welcoming and secure work environments, they also attempt to increase employee satisfaction and retention rates.
Average pay: $63,582 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field
6. Cosmetics Manager
Cosmetics manager look after the retail store's beauty section and manage beauty consultants, keeping an eye on inventory and helping clients. They can also help customers find the best beauty products and check if the store needs any particular product.
Average pay: $52,000 annually
Qualification: Diploma or bachelor’s degree
7. Distribution Manager
A distribution manager is a specialist who monitors the delivery of goods to retail establishments. Distribution managers create training programs in the warehouse to operate large equipment, carry delicate goods, and correctly store inventory.
Average pay: $70,701 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
8. Customer Service Inspector
A customer service inspector is in charge of overseeing the company's customer service staff. They handle employee and customer complaints, onboard new workers, and regularly assess the team's performance.
Average pay: $47,000 annually
Qualification: Higher education diploma
9. Customer Service Manager
A customer service manager is one of the highest paying retail management jobs. They manage the entire team of supervisors and clients and resolve any issues that customers may have.
Average pay: $94,000 annually
Qualification: Diploma or bachelor’s degree in business, management, or marketing
Also Read: What are the most common interview questions for customer service managers?
10. Retail Account Manager
Retail account managers represent the vendor when selling products and resources to retail businesses. To guarantee that merchants receive excellent service, they collaborate closely with sales administrators, customer service executives, and managers of other departments like logistics and accounting.
Average pay: $48,000 annually
Qualification: Diploma in Business Administration or related field
11. Store Manager
The everyday operations of a retail business, such as employee recruiting and training, and auditing of financial records, are within the purview of the store manager. They assist shop personnel in resolving any issues they might face inside the store's organizational structure by providing guidance and feedback.
Average pay: $48,000 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
12. Product Manager
The product manager is one of the highest paying retail jobs where they lead a product's design, development, and distribution. They prepare sales projections and determine the amount of money required to increase inventory to satisfy the demands of target consumers.
Average pay: $95,966 annually
Qualification: Master’s degree in business or related field
Also Read: How to write an impressive cover letter for a product manager?
13. Regional Manager
Regional managers look after the performance of all regional shops in a particular area. They administer employees' budget management and ensure they adhere to business policies.
Average pay: $77,000 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
14. Seller
A seller is responsible for maximizing the selling of products. They assist customers by responding to queries, finding items, and completing the purchase process.
Average pay: $46,000 annually
Qualification: High school diploma
15. Retail Franchise Owner
Retail franchise owners establish a chain of shops under a well-known brand while exercising extensive operational control. They are the main shareholder of a business operation.
Average pay: $64,000 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
16. Logistics Manager
A logistics manager purchases items and distributes them to retail establishments as part of supply chain management. They frequently operate in warehouses where they coordinate with product suppliers to add items to the inventory and set shipping costs for that inventory to be delivered to retail outlets.
Average pay: $60,472 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
17. Sales Associate
A sales associate aims to increase store sales by warmly welcoming customers. They help the customers with any inquiries regarding the store item. The sales associate job is among the retail jobs that pay well.
Sales associates frequently assist the customers with returns and refunds and resolve frequent grievances.
Average pay: $69,245 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
Also Read: What are the top interview questions for a sales associate?
18. Regional Loss Prevention Manager
The regional sales manager's duties are similar to those of the loss prevention manager, except that they also oversee profitability while managing losses across numerous outlets.
Average pay: $86,140 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
19. Cashier
Cashiers are in charge of handling customers who need to pay for the items they purchased. Additionally, they oversee the store's physical and electronic currency and daily sales records.
Even though the pay might seem less, keep in mind that it is an entry-level job with immense scope to climb up the ladder. The salary can increase significantly with internal promotions in many organizations.
Average pay: $29,503 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
20. Merchandise Buyer
A merchandise buyer communicates with the suppliers and manufacturers to obtain the goods the business needs. They also check the delivery schedules, evaluate prices, and negotiate contracts with the suppliers and manufacturers.
Average pay: $48,309 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
21. General Manager
A general manager is in charge of overseeing the management of the revenue and expenditures on the income statement of any retail service shop. They seek to increase the effectiveness of the business's entire operation.
Average pay: $53,488 annually
Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
Also Read: How to make a stellar resume for a general manager to instantly get shortlisted?
What are the Best Retail Companies to Work for?
Several companies have marked their presence in the retail industry. Working for these companies would offer you a good salary and better working conditions.
These companies offer various other perks like health insurance, paid leaves, access to upskilling, travel allowances, and many more besides the double base salary.
Given below are some top retail companies to work for with their average pay if you are looking for the highest paying retail jobs:
| Company | Job Title | Average Salary (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Associate | $17.14 |
| Nordstrom | Sales Associate | $12.50-17.30 |
| Starbucks | Barista | $15.14 |
| Costco | Cashier | $17.88 |
| Apple | Technical Support Associate | $25.93 |
| Coach | Sales Associate | $15 |
| Saks Fifth Avenue | Sales Associate | $15.09 |
| Trader Joe’s | Crew Member | $21 |
| Dillard’s | Sales Associate | $14.64 |
| The Container Store | Sales Coordinator | $21.15 |
| Lowe’s | Customer Service Associate | $13.79 |
| Safeway | Grocery Clerk | $16.34 |
Also Read: What are the top interview questions for retail sales associates in 2022?
How to Find the Highest Paying Retail Jobs?
Finding the highest paying retail jobs is not difficult in modern times. Many job search portals have the jobs curated for you. Thanks to the internet, everything you require is just a click away.
You can type the job title in the search bar available on the employment websites, and your screen will display a list of hiring companies.
Given below are some popular job search websites that you can explore if you want to land the highest paying retail jobs:
- Indeed: You may search Indeed's online job database to find the highest paying retail jobs available location-wise for your ease.
- LinkedIn: It is among the most popular employment search tools that offer networking, talking to peers, and getting job referrals.
- Ziprecruiter: With over 2 million users trusting this website, you will surely find the highest paying retail jobs here.
- Glassdoor: A wealth of helpful information is available on Glassdoor, including salary details, reviews from current and past workers, and an inside look at what it's like to work in your preferred retail company.
- Career Builder: You can find the highest paying retail jobs on this website which has details such as salary data, business insights, tools, and more.
Also Read: What are the top job search sites to find highest paying retail jobs in 2022?
Tips to Find Highest Paying Retail Jobs
You need to stand out from the crowd to land the highest paying retail jobs. How can you do that?
Given below are some tips that can help you in advancing your job search for highest paying retail jobs:
- Get education: You must complete your degree first as the highest paying retail management jobs require a master’s degree.
- Gain retail experience: By gaining retail experience, you will be able to land a high-salary job as you will have hands-on experience in interacting with customers or selling products.
- Enhance your skills: Opt for a skill development course if required, as they will help you gain the necessary skills for a particular job role.
- Build networking: Possessing an extensive network of relevant offline and online connections can get you referrals for high paying retail jobs.
- Switch job profiles internally: You can join the top retail companies to work for and then search for opportunities for switching the job title internally that would require almost the same skillset.
Key Takeaways
- You can get the best retail jobs by obtaining an educational degree, enhancing your skillset, and gaining experience in the retail sector.
- Sales associate, customer service inspector, and cashier are some of the best entry-level retail jobs.
- For entry-level, the average salary ranges from $29,503 to $47,000; for experienced professionals, the salary will range between $80,000 to $96,000.
- Customer service manager, product manager, and regional loss prevention manager are the highest paying retail jobs available in the job market.
- Apple, Trader Joe’s, and The Container Store are the best retail companies to work for if you want a high-paying hourly retail position.
- To find the highest paying retail jobs, you can sign up on employment websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Ziprecruiter.
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