Education:
47%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
25%
Some College Courses
Parts Salespersons
This is a sub-career of
Retail Sales Worker
More sub-careers
Select a specialized sub-career for more details.
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Job Outlook:
Decline
Education:
None
Salary
High:
$59,070.00
Average:
$39,250.00
Hourly
Average:
$18.87
What they do:
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
On the job, you would:
- Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
- Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
- Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
Important Qualities
Customer-service skills. Retail sales workers must be responsive to the wants and needs of customers. They should explain the product options available to customers and make appropriate recommendations.
Interpersonal skills. A friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers because the job requires almost constant interaction with people.
Math skills. Retail sales workers must have the ability to calculate price totals, discounts, and change owed to customers.
Persistence. A large number of attempted sales may not be successful, so sales workers should not be discouraged easily. They must start each new sales attempt with a positive attitude.
Selling skills. Retail sales workers must be persuasive when interacting with customers. They must clearly and effectively explain the benefits of the merchandise.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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90% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
|
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86% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
|
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80% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
|
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79% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
|
|
78% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
|
|
77% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
|
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77% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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76% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
|
|
75% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
|
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75% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
|
|
72% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
|
|
70% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
|
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69% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. | |
|
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69% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
|
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69% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
95% | Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law. | |
|
|
83% | Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
61% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
|
|
75% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
|
|
72% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
|
|
69% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
|
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69% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
|
|
66% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Process sales or other transactions.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
Explain technical product or service information to customers.
Monitor inventories of products or materials.
Arrange delivery of goods or services.
Clean work areas.
Analyze shipping information to make routing decisions.
Calculate shipping costs.
Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
Gather customer or product information to determine customer needs.
Take product orders from customers.
Process sales or other transactions.
Prepare sales or other contracts.
Process sales or other transactions.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Examine condition of property or products.
Process sales or other transactions.
Stock products or parts.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Explain technical product or service information to customers.
Demonstrate products to consumers.
Set up merchandise displays.
Measure product or material dimensions.
Repair parts or assemblies.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
100% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
|
|
97% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
|
|
96% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
|
|
95% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
|
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89% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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86% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
|
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85% | Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)? | |
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82% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? | |
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81% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
|
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81% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
|
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79% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
|
|
78% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
|
|
78% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
|
|
77% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
|
|
75% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
|
|
75% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
|
|
75% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
|
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75% | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? | |
|
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74% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
|
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74% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
|
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73% | Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)? | |
|
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71% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
|
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70% | Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures? | |
|
|
68% | Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? | |
|
|
77% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
87% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
|
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84% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
|
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83% | Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. | |
|
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82% | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. | |
|
|
81% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
|
|
75% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
|
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74% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
|
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73% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
|
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73% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
|
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71% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
|
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68% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
|
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68% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
|
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67% | Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. | |
|
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67% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
What Retail Sales Workers Do
Retail sales workers maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions.
Retail sales workers help customers find products they want and process customers’ payments. There are two types of retail sales workers: retail salespersons, who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles; and parts salespersons, who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts.
Duties
Retail sales workers typically do the following:
- Greet customers and offer them assistance
- Recommend merchandise based on customers’ wants and needs
- Explain the use and benefit of merchandise to customers
- Answer customers’ questions
- Show how merchandise works, if applicable
- Add up customers’ total purchases and accept payment
- Inform customers about current sales, promotions, and policies about payments and exchanges
The following are examples of types of retail sales workers:
Retail salespersons work in stores where they sell goods, such as books, cars, clothing, cosmetics, electronics, furniture, lumber, plants, shoes, and many other types of merchandise.
In addition to helping customers find and select items to buy, many retail salespersons process the payment for the sale, which typically involves operating cash registers.
After taking payment for the purchases, retail salespersons may bag or package the purchases.
Depending on the hours they work, retail salespersons may have to open or close cash registers. This includes counting the money in the register and separating charge slips, coupons, and exchange vouchers. They may also make deposits at a cash office.
For information about other workers who receive and disburse money, see the profile on cashiers.
In addition, retail salespersons may help stock shelves or racks, arrange for mailing or delivery of purchases, mark price tags, take inventory, and prepare displays.
For some retail sales jobs, particularly those involving expensive and complex items, retail sales workers need special knowledge or skills. For example, those who sell cars must be able to explain the features of various models, manufacturers’ specifications, different types of options on the car, financing available, and the details of associated warranties.
In addition, retail sales workers must recognize security risks and thefts and understand their organization’s procedures for handling thefts, which may include notifying security guards or calling police.
Parts salespersons sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts. Most work in either automotive parts stores or automobile dealerships. They take customers’ orders, inform customers of part availability and price, and take inventory.
Work Environment
Parts salespersons held about 266,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of parts salespersons were as follows:
| Automotive parts, accessories, and tire retailers | 44% |
| Automobile dealers | 21 |
| Wholesale trade | 20 |
| Repair and maintenance | 5 |
| Other motor vehicle dealers | 4 |
Retail salespersons held about 3.8 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of retail salespersons were as follows:
| Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers | 17% |
| General merchandise retailers | 17 |
| Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers | 15 |
| Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers | 13 |
| Furniture, home furnishings, electronics, and appliance retailers | 8 |
Most retail sales work is performed in clean, well-lit stores. Retail sales workers spend most of their time interacting with customers, answering questions, and assisting them with purchases.
Workers often stand for long periods and may need permission from a supervisor to leave the sales floor. If they sell items such as cars, plants, or lumberyard materials, they may work outdoors.
Work Schedules
Many sales workers work evenings and weekends, particularly during holidays and other peak sales periods. Because the end-of-year holiday season is often the busiest time for retail stores, many employers limit retail sales workers’ use of vacation time between November and the beginning of January.
Some retail salespersons work part time.
Getting Started
How to Become a Retail Sales Worker
A friendly and outgoing personality is important for these workers, as the job requires almost constant interaction with people.
Typically, there are no formal education requirements for retail sales workers. Most receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months.
Education
Although retail or parts sales positions usually have no formal education requirements, some employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent, especially employers who sell technical products or “big-ticket” items, such as electronics or cars.
Training
Most retail sales workers receive on-the-job training, which usually lasts a few days to a few months. In small stores, an experienced employee often trains newly hired workers. In large stores, training programs are more formal and usually conducted over several days.
During training sessions, topics often include customer service, security, the store’s policies and procedures, and how to operate the cash register.
Depending on the type of product they are selling, employees may be given additional specialized training. For example, salespersons working in cosmetics get instruction on the types of products the store offers and for whom the cosmetics would be most beneficial. Likewise, those who sell auto parts may be instructed on the technical functions of various parts, in addition to sales technique.
Because providing exceptional service to customers is a priority for many employers, employees often get periodic training to update and refine their skills.
Advancement
Retail sales workers typically have opportunities to advance to supervisory or managerial positions. Some employers want candidates for managerial positions to have a college degree.
As sales workers gain experience and seniority, they often move into positions that have greater responsibility and may be given their choice of departments in which to work. This opportunity often means moving to positions with higher potential earnings and commissions. The highest earnings potential usually involves selling “big-ticket” items, such as cars, jewelry, furniture, and electronics. These positions often require workers with extensive knowledge of the product and excellent sales skills.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of retail sales workers is projected to decline 2 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Despite declining employment, about 563,000 openings for retail sales workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
The increase in online sales is expected to continue over the projections decade, limiting growth in the number of physical retail stores and reducing demand for retail sales workers. Projected employment of retail sales workers varies by occupation (see table).
Competition from e-commerce is expected to reduce demand for retail salespersons. However, brick-and-mortar retail stores may increase their emphasis on customer service as a way to compete with online sellers. And cost pressures may lead retailers to hire workers who can perform a broad range of tasks, such as helping customers find items, operating a cash register, and restocking shelves. Because retail salespersons provide this versatile range of services, and because many consumers are still expected to visit physical stores, retail salespersons should continue to be needed to help customers and to complete sales.
Demand for car parts and parts salespersons is expected to continue as growing numbers of older cars require repairs. Moreover, demand for ride-hailing services has shifted some public transportation use back to automobiles services, further adding to the need for car parts in upkeep and maintenance, which should support demand for parts salespersons.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about the retail industry, visit
Retail Industry Leaders Association
For more information about training for a career in automobile sales, visit
National Automobile Dealers Association
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Retail salespersons (PDF)
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of retail sales workers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cashiers |
Cashiers process payments from customers purchasing goods and services. |
No formal educational credential | $28,240 |
|
Customer Service Representatives |
Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $37,780 |
|
Information Clerks |
Information clerks perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers. |
See How to Become One | $38,710 |
|
Insurance Sales Agents |
Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $57,860 |
|
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents |
Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $52,030 |
|
Sales Engineers |
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. |
Bachelor's degree | $108,530 |
|
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents |
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents connect buyers and sellers in financial markets. |
Bachelor's degree | $67,480 |
|
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives |
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. |
See How to Become One | $67,750 |
|
Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers |
Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers. |
No formal educational credential | $28,130 |
|
Sales Managers |
Sales managers direct organizations' sales teams. |
Bachelor's degree | $130,600 |