How much does a retail supervisor make?
a year · about $23 an hour
A typical retail supervisor in the United States makes $48,520 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They set staff schedules and tasks, check prices and displays, keep an eye on stock, and help customers with questions or complaints. When the store is busy, they may coach staff or jump in to organize shelves and sell.
Did you know? A retail supervisor may jump in to organize shelves or sell merchandise themselves—not just give directions.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,120 and $77,080How do you become one?
Most U.S. retail supervisors finish high school or earn a GED, gain retail sales experience, and move up to lead a team. Employers train them on the job, and some can prepare through a retail-management apprenticeship; a few jobs prefer college.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience and skills, the kind of store or employer, and the area where someone works. Supervisors with more complex duties or greater responsibility may earn more.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($60,750), lowest in Arkansas ($36,950).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,120 | $48,520 | $77,080 | about 1.1 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $60,750 | about 28,000 |
| Rhode Island | $58,570 | about 4,000 |
| District of Columbia | $58,470 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $58,300 | about 51,000 |
| Colorado | $58,200 | about 26,000 |
Official definition: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/41-1011.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/41-1011.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes411011.htm
- dlr.sd.gov/lmic/publications/occupational_profiles/first_line_supervisors_of_ret
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY