What First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers this way: "Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers and responding to customer inquiries and complaints"; "Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods"; "Assign employees to specific duties"; "Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers"; "Inventory stock and reorder when inventory drops to a specified level".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,419,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,367,400 in 2035, a decrease of 52,400 jobs (-3.7%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 113,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 21.1% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,520, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers earn the most
Across the 26 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $45,177 in Georgia to $59,258 in Washington, a gap of $14,081 (1.31 times). 14 of those 26 states average above the BLS national median of $48,520 and 12 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 107,020, which is 9.5% of the 1,123,460 counted across them. Texas follows with 101,540.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($59,258), Colorado ($57,790) and Massachusetts ($57,512) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($45,177) and Texas ($45,282) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 39 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $21,413. The smallest margin is $3,806 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 39 of the 39 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 30.7% and 69.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Frequently asked questions about First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
What is the national median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $48,520. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $45,177 to $59,258.
Which state pays First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $59,258. Colorado is next at $57,790.
What is the job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 3.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 113,500 openings a year.
What education do First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $21,413 on a median wage of $50,530.