Retail salesperson salary in California after taxes
The median retail salesperson in California earns $38,440 a year ($18.48 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $31,995 a year, or $1,230.56 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,240 | $29,606 | $2,467 | $1,138.68 |
| 25th percentile | $36,350 | $30,434 | $2,536 | $1,170.55 |
| Median | $38,440 | $31,995 | $2,666 | $1,230.56 |
| 75th percentile | $45,460 | $37,235 | $3,103 | $1,432.11 |
| 90th percentile | $54,310 | $43,684 | $3,640 | $1,680.16 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of retail salespersons in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Retail salesperson take-home pay in other states
California ranks #3 of 20 of the states we cover for median retail salesperson take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $39,560 | $33,418 |
| Alaska | $37,290 | $32,143 |
| California | $38,440 | $31,995 |
| New Hampshire | $36,200 | $31,267 |
| New York | $37,720 | $30,821 |
| New Jersey | $36,520 | $30,595 |
| Massachusetts | $36,610 | $29,917 |
| South Dakota | $34,370 | $29,796 |
| Wyoming | $34,310 | $29,748 |
| Nevada | $34,190 | $29,652 |
| Florida | $34,010 | $29,507 |
| Illinois | $35,370 | $28,994 |
| Michigan | $34,640 | $28,792 |
| Virginia | $34,240 | $28,537 |
| Tennessee | $31,950 | $27,852 |
| Texas | $30,800 | $26,928 |
| North Carolina | $31,370 | $26,632 |
| Ohio | $30,800 | $26,388 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,200 | $26,291 |
| Georgia | $30,840 | $26,170 |
Questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in California after taxes?
The median retail salesperson in California earns $38,440 a year ($18.48 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $31,995 a year, $2,666 a month or $1,230.56 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many retail salespersons work in California?
About 376,460, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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