Office Clerks, General vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Office Clerks, General professionals earn $9,050 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 26.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Office Clerks, General earns $63,840 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$63,840
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Office Clerks, General | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,120 | $25,600 | +$3,520 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,350 | $29,140 | +$6,210 |
| Median (50th) | $43,630 | $34,580 | +$9,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,560 | $37,850 | +$14,710 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,840 | $47,930 | +$15,910 |
| Mean (Average) | $45,470 | $37,150 | +$8,320 |
Employment Numbers
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Best Cities for Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Office Clerks, General or Retail Salespersons?
Office Clerks, General professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,050 (26.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
What is the salary range for Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Office Clerks, General and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Office Clerks, General?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Office Clerks, General has a median salary of $43,630 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS