10 Highest-paying Hourly Jobs in the Retail Industry
Hourly jobs in the retail industry have always been the go-to for people who have a passion for selling and great customer insight. However, what people fail to see is the potential of working in retail and the different opportunities the industry has to offer.
The demand for retail workers continues to stay high, and employers are always looking for qualified candidates who want to join their teams. Retail salespeople earn an average of $47,580 annually. In addition to making a decent living, these positions also offer great perks such as flexible scheduling, paid time off, and health insurance.
If you’re looking for a job in retail then you should look in the right place. This guide will list the highest paying jobs in retail, tell you where to find them, and the average retail hourly pay you can expect for each position.
Now, let’s get right into it!
What are retail jobs?
In case you haven’t considered retail jobs and don’t know what the term means, let’s start with a clear definition. Retail jobs are available in a variety of different stores, including large chain stores like Walmart or small shops. A retail job may also involve working from a desk at an office or directly in the store.
You’re either selling a product or engaging in customer care, however, retail jobs can be more rewarding when you’re offered bonuses and commission by the store or business you’re working for. You need to get your skillet and experience aligned to your role before applying for an hourly job.
Your job title and role can vary a lot due to the diversity of this industry, so we have compiled a list of the 10 highest paying jobs in the retail industry to assist you in making the right decision.
10 highest paying jobs in the retail industry
Before we get into the list, it’s better to note that every hourly rate for retail mentioned in this article may vary based on the size, type, and location of your store as well as the employee’s experience and qualifications.
You can find the best positions in your area using a job community website and use these average pays to make a better decision. Now without further ado, let’s move on to the list!
1.Retail associate
Average hourly wage: $17 per hour
A retail store associate guides customers, answer their questions and plays a significant role in the daily operations of the teams. They are also often referred to as sales representatives. A retail associate needs exceptional communication skills and knows how to stay organized.
The hourly retail associate is the most competitive position in retail stores, especially the biggest brands, because they offer numerous benefits, such as healthcare insurance, bonuses, paid time off, and commissions.
2.Retail manager
Average hourly wage: $20 per hour
Many tasks in a retail store fall under the responsibilities of a retail manager. From aisle inspections to guiding the team and customers. If you have experience working as a retail associate or in other managerial positions landing a job as a retail manager would be much easier.
Increasing customer retention and creating strategies to expand the customer pool and attain better customer satisfaction are also part of the equation. So if you haven’t worked in retail before, any experience or qualification in business strategies and development will also supplement your portfolio.
3.Stocker
Average hourly wage: $14 per hour
A retail stocker also called a stock clerk, ensures that customers have constant access to the products they need. Retail stockers achieve this by organizing product displays and restocking empty shelves. The job also includes keeping a count of the inventory, adding price tags to goods, and organizing products on shelves.
After hourly retail associate, retail stocker is the second most popular position in a store and is often the first part-time choice for students because it requires minimal to no experience in the industry.
4.Merchandiser
Average hourly wage: $17 per hour
A retail merchandiser is responsible for organizing a store to increase sales. The position usually requires a keen eye for consumer behaviors and you will likely work closely with retail managers, stockers, and associates to increase sales. Similar to retail managers, merchandisers are usually needed by large retail chains or businesses.
The requirements, experience, and retail hourly pay for the position of a merchandiser are similar to that of a sales associate because they usually have to think in similar ways and aim at increasing sales for a certain product or generally the whole store.
5.Customer service representative
Average hourly wage: $14 per hour
Again, if you’re confident in your communication skills, a customer service representative position is your calling. At retail stores, customer care usually works and reports to the supervisors.
Customer service representatives usually handle product returns, client demands, and complaints. This is also one of the hourly jobs in the retail industry that you can acquire without a previous history of experience, all you need to do is prove your skills.
6.Cashier
Average hourly wage: $15 per hour
At a retail store or any store at all, a cashier is required for processing transactions. Depending on how the store is managed, a cashier can also be responsible to greet customers, processing returns and exchanges, answer phone calls, and promote programs.
Since every industry needs a cashier this job vacancy never runs out and is among the highest-paid retail jobs with minimal experience required before hiring.
7.Cosmetics consultant
Average hourly wage: $13.50 per hour
Customers have many questions when searching for cosmetics and beauty products for their specific needs. A cosmetics consultant is responsible for answering these questions and showing customers the right products.
In standard retail stores, instead of a consultant, a sales representative for beauty products might play the role. Regardless of which job you are assigned, a cosmetic consultant is a fairly good position for anyone who wants to make the most of their knowledge of beauty products.
8.Pharmacy technician
Average hourly wage: $17.66 per hour
Hourly jobs in the retail industry are not limited to grocery stores but also extend to pharmacies.
If you’re a student studying medicine, or you have previous experience working as a pharmacist, you can find a well-paid job as a pharmacy technician in retail.
9.Human resource manager
Average hourly wage: $40 per hour
Human resource managers are mostly the highest-paid employees in a retail store or business. It’s because this position is often only present for large franchises like Target. A human resource manager in retail is responsible for planning recruitment ads, meetings, and evaluating staff performance.
Since the HR manager directly reports to the CEO or the store owner, you need to fulfill the experience requirements and show your qualification to ensure getting hired.
10.IT technicians
Average hourly wage: $33 per hour
Many retail stores these days hire an IT technician in charge of price accuracy for computer and network maintenance, pricing tags and receipt software, point of sale software maintenance, and other tech-related tasks.
They can also be employed to work in the tech department and work as a sales representative to assist clients in making informed decisions when buying technology and gadgets. This position can offer a greater per-hour wage based on the role an IT technician plays for a retail business.
Final word
As mentioned in the beginning, no matter which role you’re going to choose, you have to look at the right places. To get started with your retail job hunt sign up on a job community website and get your payroll rolling!
