Who Earns What

How much does a parts salesperson make?

US Parts Salespersons
$38,630

a year · about $19 an hour

A typical parts salesperson in the United States makes $38,630 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They answer customers at the counter or by phone, using a catalog or computer to match a car or old part with the right replacement. They fill orders, check stock, and label or shelve parts.

Did you know? A parts salesperson may find the right replacement by examining an old part or listening to a description of what is broken—not just by looking up a part number.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$38,630
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $28,240 and $62,890
47 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

Many U.S. parts-sales jobs require no formal education, though some employers prefer a high-school diploma or GED; most new workers learn customer service and parts systems on the job. A registered Parts Salesperson apprenticeship is another way in.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience and detailed knowledge of vehicle or machine parts can help; jobs in parts stores, car dealerships, or companies selling parts in bulk may pay differently. Local demand, living costs, and how much responsibility a job carries can also affect pay.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in North Dakota ($48,600), lowest in Louisiana ($31,310).

See every state
Whole US$38,630
North Dakota$48,600
Colorado$47,660
Minnesota$47,030
Washington$46,830
Iowa$46,670
North Carolina$32,480
South Carolina$32,180
Louisiana$31,310

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Parts salesperson pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$28,240$38,630$62,890about 270,000
States where parts salespersons earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
North Dakota$48,600about 2,000
Colorado$47,660about 5,000
Minnesota$47,030about 6,000
Washington$46,830about 6,000
Iowa$46,670about 4,000

Official definition: Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY