Reading, PA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Retail Salesperson Salary in Reading, PA

In the Reading, PA metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $31,000 ($14.90/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,600/year and the 90th was $45,900/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,137 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 97.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,000$14.90 per hour · $2,583 monthly
10th Percentile$23,600$11.35/hr base
25th Percentile$27,700$13.32/hr base
75th Percentile$36,500$17.55/hr base
90th Percentile$45,900$22.07/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,000
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,000
Net 84%
Fed 5%
PA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,137After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,178Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,005Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,540 / yr
Pennsylvania state income tax$952 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,372 / yr

Retail Salespersons Wage Percentiles in Reading, PA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Retail Salespersons in the Reading, PA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (PA)
10th Percentile$11.35/hr$1,967$23,600$20,320
25th Percentile$13.32/hr$2,308$27,700$23,571
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.90/hr$2,583$31,000$26,137
75th Percentile$17.55/hr$3,042$36,500$30,387
90th Percentile$22.07/hr$3,825$45,900$37,652

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Reading, PA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,000 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$79,777Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index97.12.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio38.9%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Pennsylvania:

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Reading, PA

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Reading, PA?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Reading, PA is $31,000, which equates to approximately $2,583 per month or $14.90 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Reading, PA?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Reading, PA is $14.90 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.35/hour and one in ten earned more than $22.07/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Reading, PA?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Reading, PA span from $23,600 at the 10th percentile to $27,700 at the 25th, $36,500 at the 75th, and $45,900 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Reading, PA?

On a median gross salary of $31,000, an estimated $26,137 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,005 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Pennsylvania in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,863 (an effective rate of 15.7%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Reading, PA?

On the median annual salary of $31,000, gross monthly income is $2,583. After federal, FICA, and Pennsylvania state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,178 per month (or $1,005 every two weeks).

Is $31,000 a good salary in Reading, PA?

At $31,000, the median salary for retail salespersons is 38.9% of the Reading, PA median household income ($79,777). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 97.1, making regional consumer goods and services 2.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.