Retail jobs present a great opportunity to enter the workforce at any age — with part-time and full-time options, this industry can offer great pay, upward mobility, and flexible schedules.
Many Americans find a job in retail and discover a pathway within the retail world that leads them to a well-paying career they love.
The retail world is big, diverse, and full of countless job opportunities. So, which retail job is the best option for you?
10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Retail (2019 Data)
Target Sales Associate
Who doesn’t love Target? If you’re looking for a retail job close to home that has a friendly team and flexible schedule, their Sales Associate position is a perfect bullseye. You’ll earn an average of $12.06/hour (data from 2019 indeed.com) and get a generous employee discount!
Amazon Retail Sales Associate
Working for the largest online retailer comes with its perks: $15/hour pay (data from 2019 indeed.com) with seasonal raises, great health insurance, and paid time off.
Attention to detail and exceptional customer service are essential to this position. Do you have what it takes?
Trader Joe's Crew Member
Trader Joe’s is one of the most iconic and well-known food retail chains in America. This company has high standards when it comes to their products and their team members, which means great benefits and an average pay of $15/hour (data from 2019 glassdoor.com).
Trader Joe’s values their employees, which is why 78% of their supervisors get promoted from crew members, and 100% of their store managers make a career advancement from supervisors.
Nordstrom Apparel Associate
If you’re passionate about the fashion industry, a job at Nordstrom might be your golden ticket. An Apparel Associate position offers upwards of $15/hour as of 2020 (indeed.com) with high flexibility and great benefits. As a cherry on top, Nordstrom also offers internships in finance, technology, and fashion!
REI Sales Associate
Are you an outdoorsy person who connects with nature just as well as you do with others? REI has a retail position camping right outside your door. The role of a Sales Associate pays up to $17/hour (2019 glassdoor.com) and offers various cash bonus opportunities. No experience required, but a big passion for the great outdoors is a must to apply!
Lowe's Sales Specialist
Lowe’s is known for their amazing product quality and corporate culture. If you have passion for both home improvement and customer service, Lowe’s might be the right pick for you.
Lowe’s employs over 200,000 military veterans nationwide and has disaster-relief teams to help communities in troubling times.
This position pays $18.37/hour, while offering great benefits and flexible work hours (data from 2019 indeed.com).
Costco Associate
Costco is known for their exceptional company culture and career advancement opportunities. The average wage for an employee is $21/hour, much higher than the national rate of $12.23 (data from 2019 bls.gov). Costco is also known for hiring from the inside: 70% percent of its warehouse managers started their careers as sales associates.
Jared the Galleria of Jewelry Associate
If you have an eye for detail and love jewelry as much as you love helping others, Jared The Galleria of Jewelry is one of the best retail picks for you. With exceptional customer service and an elegant dress code, a role as a Jewelry Associate pays $27,077/year (data from 2019 indeed.com). The pay gets even better with a monthly sales commission. Oh, and did we mention generous employee discounts? Talk about a diamond in the rough!
CarMax Sales Associate
CarMax takes the stereotype of a used car salesman and gives it a new, shiny image. If you have a passion for cars and for sales, this position is calling your name. Sales associates at CarMax earn an average of $41,163/year (data from 2019 indeed.com), along with commission opportunities and excellent benefits. This company is known for its friendly and welcoming culture and low turnover rate.
Loss Prevention Manager
If you enjoy working with people and have a knack for investigative work, this job might be for you. Most big retail companies, such as Target, Amazon, and Nordstrom, are always looking for ways to prevent shoplifting and minimize vandalism. In retail circles, this position comes with an average yearly pay of $53,193 (data from 2020 indeed.com).
Ready to find your retail gig? Search for retail jobs near you.