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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Retail Salesperson Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, retail salespersons earned a median annual wage of $38,100 ($18.32/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,100/year and the 90th was $49,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,607 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,100$18.32 per hour · $3,175 monthly
10th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
25th Percentile$37,500$18.03/hr base
75th Percentile$43,800$21.06/hr base
90th Percentile$49,100$23.61/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 payWhat $38,000 a year leaves after tax in District of ColumbiaFederal tax, FICA and District of Columbia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $38,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $38,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation District of Columbia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about District of Columbia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$38,100
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,100
Net 83%
Fed 6%
DC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,607After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,634Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,216Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,392 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,186 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,915 / yr
Customize deductions in full District of Columbia calculator

Retail Salespersons Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,120
25th Percentile$18.03/hr$3,125$37,500$31,161
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.32/hr$3,175$38,100$31,607
75th Percentile$21.06/hr$3,650$43,800$35,845
90th Percentile$23.61/hr$4,092$49,100$39,786

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio30.1%of area median income

Compare retail salespersons salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

Compare markets

Retail Salespersons pay in other District of Columbia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Retail Salespersons Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for retail salespersons in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for retail salespersons in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $38,100, which equates to approximately $3,175 per month or $18.32 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for retail salespersons in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for retail salespersons in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $18.32 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.61/hour.

What is the pay range for retail salespersons in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for retail salespersons in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $37,500 at the 25th, $43,800 at the 75th, and $49,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do retail salespersons take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $38,100, an estimated $31,607 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,216 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,493 (an effective rate of 17%).

How much do retail salespersons make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $38,100, gross monthly income is $3,175. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,634 per month (or $1,216 every two weeks).

Is $38,100 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $38,100, the median salary for retail salespersons is 30.1% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.