Best Paid Jobs In Retail

Jobs in retail offer a few positions that are known to be lucrative -- in fact, some of the most lucrative hourly jobs in the country.

Sales Associate

Most sales associates make a base salary of anywhere from minimum wage to more than double the minimum wage. Depending on how high-end the retailer is, some might even make three times the minimum wage per hour. On top of the hourly wage, sales associates make commissions based on how much of the store's product they sell. The more they sell, the more they earn on their next paycheck.

Earning potential is truly unlimited in sales positions, as it all depends on how effective you are as a salesperson. Combine this with the fact that many high-end sales positions include generous health and retirement benefits, and you end up with a position that is popular among many of society's more extraverted members.

Management

While store associates are almost always paid on an hourly basis, many of America's best retailers (in terms of employee satisfaction) give their management staff an added perk: salaried employment. The life of a retail store manager isn't easy, and often involves weeks that exceed the traditional 40 hour workweek. However, retailers compensate by providing generous benefit programs, travel assistance, and salaried employment.

That means managers' wages aren't penalized for their absences, and they get vacation time, sick days, and medical benefits like maternity leave. Additionally, it means their income is solidly "middle class" and they know just want to expect on their paychecks each pay period. It's a benefit in and of itself, and it makes management a highly desirable outcome for most retail employees.

Regional Management

Because a retail store's regional managers are virtually required to travel because of the nature of their position, their compensation includes reimbursement for fuel costs as well as "wear and tear" on their vehicle. For those taking mass transit, many companies offer fully-covered fares or pre-tax paycheck deductions to cover public transit travel.

Regional managers are also a step above store managers, and this results in a higher yearly salary. Like their store management counterparts, they are paid on a salaried basis rather than an hourly one, and can take part in company-wide perks like health insurance and retirement plans.

Whether you're looking to manage, or simply to use your skills to sell a high volume of merchandise, retail employment can be highly lucrative. It is, truly, all what you make of it -- so put your best foot forward!