The highest-paying retail jobs combine a low barrier of entry with a lucrative salary to create enticing careers. While many associate retail jobs offer entry-level positions and modest wages, there are roles that require complex skills and intricate knowledge while offering substantial compensation.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of the highest-paying retail jobs while explaining each one, going through the requirements, and discussing potential salaries. By the end, you’ll know what to expect from each job and which one to apply for.
Key Takeaways
Highest-paying retail jobs typically have a lower barrier of entry than many other professions while offering matching salaries, with merchandising director being one of the best retail jobs for those looking for a high salary.
Other high-paying positions in retail include regional manager, purchasing manager, HR manager, sales manager, loss prevention manager, and more.
Some essential skills needed for retail jobs are customer service, communication, time management, teamwork, and attention to detail.
To find a retail job, you can browse online job boards, visit company websites, leverage your professional network, and so on.
Some of the highest-paying retail companies are Patagonia, REI, Costco, IKEA, and Buc-ee’s.
9 Highest-Paying Retail Jobs
Let’s see what the highest-paying retail jobs are today, what their outlooks are like, and what you can expect in terms of salary.
#1. Merchandising Director
Merchandising directors oversee the products in their stores and online. They are in charge of handling the selection and presentation of merchandise, ensuring that everything is available to buyers in the right quantity and at the right price.
The work of a merchandising director directly affects sales, which is why it’s one of the highest-paying retail jobs, with a median salary of $195,790 per year. To get that compensation, you need to know how to analyze market trends and consumer behavior and to communicate and negotiate with suppliers and manufacturers.
Merchandising directors also need to have strong leadership skills and a passion for continuous development. While many roles require a college degree (e.g., a BA in Business Administration), you can get this job with an associate’s degree or even certification.
#2. Regional Manager
Regional managers are in charge of supervising multiple stores in a specific area. Their job is to ensure that stores operate to their maximum efficiency, meet their sales targets, and adhere to company standards.
This is a challenging role that requires exceptional leadership, organizational, and communication skills. The upside is that the salary for regional managers ranges between $110,000 and $148,500 annually, making this one of the highest-paying retail management jobs.
You can become a regional manager with a relevant degree, be it in business, management, or leadership. However, formal education isn’t required, and you can get this job with enough experience in retail and a proven track record. That makes regional management a great way to advance your career.
#3. E-commerce Project Manager
E-commerce project managers are in charge of the development and implementation of online projects and strategies in retail environments. They oversee the majority of aspects of e-commerce operations to ensure everything runs smoothly. The goal is to maximize online sales and create a pleasant shopping experience for customers.
To become an e-commerce project manager, you generally need to have a Bachelor’s degree in fields like Business or Computer Science. On top of that, most employers expect candidates to have several years of experience.
If you match these requirements, you’re looking at a salary range of $86,000–$136,500 per year. The compensation depends on your experience, leadership and communication skills, the company’s size, and the complexity of the role.
#4. Purchasing Manager
Purchasing managers oversee buyers and purchasing agents who acquire products for retail businesses. Their responsibilities are to source the products that their store will sell, negotiate favorable prices, manage inventory, and so on.
This is a strategic position that requires strong analytical skills and proficiency in market trends. A typical candidate needs to have a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Supply Management, along with several years of experience in inventory procurement.
The median salary for purchasing managers is $136,380 per year. One of the biggest downsides is a negative job outlook. The projected employment change between 2022 and 2032 is 34,600 fewer available jobs, which amounts to a 6% drop.
#5. HR Manager
HR managers oversee various aspects of human resources in a retail setting. This includes recruitment and training of new employees, interpersonal relationships, compliance with labor laws, and so on. Their main goal is to ensure optimal productivity and enhance the well-being and motivation of the workforce.
To become an HR manager, you typically need a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or similar fields. Some employers might even ask for a Master’s degree.
On the other hand, HR management has a lucrative median salary of $136,350 per year, making it one of the highest-paying retail jobs. More than that, a positive job outlook of 6% makes this a good career to get into. A well-written HR resume and cover letter can help you grab one of those spots.
#6. Sales Manager
Sales managers direct and oversee retail sales teams. As such, their actions impact sales performance and ensure that targets are met. This is a strategic role that requires excellent leadership skills and motivational abilities in addition to managerial prowess.
To become a sales manager, you generally need to have a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, or another relevant field. Some experience is preferable, but there’s no need to have more than five years of it. However, one of the things that can get you ahead of the competition is a strong sales manager resume.
If you meet those requirements, you’re looking at one of the top retail jobs compensation-wise, with a median salary of $135,160 annually. Additionally, the job has a 4% positive projected job outlook.
#7. Loss Prevention Manager
Loss prevention managers work on reducing and preventing theft and fraud within retail organizations. Their job revolves around devising and implementing various security measures and policies, training staff on loss prevention techniques, and looking into suspicious activities, among other tasks.
As a loss prevention manager, you can expect a median salary of $133,560 per year. The skills required for the job range from active listening and problem-solving to verbal communication and proficiency in technology. Further knowledge of public safety, security, law and government, and customer service helps you excel in the role.
When it comes to formal education, a Bachelor’s degree can increase your chances of landing the interview, but you can get the job with just a high school diploma or GED as well.
#8. Appraisal Manager
Appraisal managers evaluate retail products, ensuring their value matches their quality. This requires a deep understanding of market trends and strong decision-making skills. The main goal of appraisal managers is to ensure fair and competitive pricing of their organization’s inventory to maximize sales and profit.
To become an appraisal manager, you usually need to have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and several years of experience. If you’re meeting these demands, you’re looking at a median salary of $129,942 annually, which makes this one of the most lucrative careers in retail.
#9. Market Development Manager
Market development managers in the retail industry look for new opportunities and ways to expand their business. These professionals aim to enhance their company’s presence in the market, drive growth, boost sales, and increase revenue.
As a market development manager, you need strong analytical skills to determine current market trends and customer needs. Furthermore, you should be able to analyze your competitors to find ways to improve your strategies. This will allow you to create actionable business plans and then collaborate with sales and marketing teams to drive organizational success.
Retail industry salary for market development managers is $75,000–$111,500 per year. To get into the industry, you’ll usually need a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a similar field. An MBA or an advanced degree can help you get ahead of the competition.
5 Essential Skills Needed for Retail Jobs
Let’s examine some of the most sought-after retail skills needed for these jobs. Having and demonstrating the following skills on your resume can significantly improve your chances of getting the role:
5 Essential Skills Needed for Retail Jobs
Customer service. Retail is all about assisting customers and addressing their concerns. Customer service skills help you truly understand clients and patrons, optimally solve their problems, and effectively resolve any potential conflicts.
Communication. Communication is fundamental to interacting with clients, colleagues, and supervisors. Both verbal and non-verbal communication help you convey information in a clear and concise manner. Good communication improves relationships, resolves conflicts, boosts sales, and more.
Time management. The retail environment is often unpredictable and fast-paced, which is why it’s vital to manage your time and handle multiple tasks efficiently. This includes breaking your workload into smaller parts and prioritizing to ensure everything is completed on time.
Teamwork. Collaboration is essential in retail. Teamwork skills help you optimally cooperate with others to achieve common goals. This skill impacts how you function in a store on a daily basis, achieve sales targets, and more.
Attention to detail. In a retail setting, attention to detail helps professionals ensure correct pricing, manage inventory, organize and display products correctly, and more. This is a vital skill in a career where precision and accuracy are paramount.
How to Find a Job in Retail
There are many ways to find a job in retail, including browsing online job boards, visiting company websites, using your professional network, and so on.
Firstly, you should identify the type of retail environment and the role that you want to have. That will allow you to narrow your search and find better opportunities faster and more efficiently.
After that, you can visit popular job board websites like Glassdoor, Monster, or Indeed. They can give you plenty of variety in roles and companies. You can also use LinkedIn, which is a popular social platform for professionals.
If you’re looking to join a specific organization, you can check its website to see if there are any openings. Even if there’s no opening, you can proactively send your resume and cover letter to get on the company’s radar.
Leveraging your network is another effective method of finding a job in retail. Friends, family, acquaintances, and former colleagues who work in retail or have connections can recommend you to employers or inform you about job opportunities.
Once you find the role that suits you, a strong resume and cover letter can secure you an interview, while familiarity with the most common interview questions can help you land the job.
Here’s a list of the highest-paying retail companies in the world, where some of the stores pay $20 an hour or close to it:
5 Highest-Paying Retail Companies
Patagonia. Patagonia designs outdoor gear and clothing for men and women. It has stores across 20 US states and offers an average wage of $21.88 per hour.
REI. REI is another outdoor lifestyle brand that employs more than 16,000 people and pays $18.88 per hour.
Costco. This is a retail giant renowned for its warehouse stores. The average salary it offers is $18.57 per hour.
IKEA. IKEA is one of the most popular furniture retailers in the world, offering $18.50 per hour.
Buc-ee’s. This chain of retail stores, gas stations, and EV chargers offers $18.18 per hour.
Final Thoughts
High-income retail jobs aren’t uncommon. They are a viable, long-term choice that leads to a fulfilling career. The diversity of roles, requirements, and salaries makes retail jobs great for individuals who love working in dynamic environments with a focus on customer service. More than that, the retail environment offers plenty of opportunities for personal and career growth.
As you’re browsing the highest-paying retail jobs, remember that persistence is the key to landing one. Craft an attention-grabbing resume (you can use our resume builder to help you) and write a compelling cover letter, and you’ll be one step closer to an interview!
Highest-Paying Retail Jobs FAQ
#1. What retail shop pays the most?
Patagonia is the retail shop that pays the most, with an average wage of $21.88 per hour. Other retail shops to consider include REI, Costco, IKEA, Buc-ee’s, Lululemon, Fred Meyer, Tory Burch, and more.
#2. How much can you make as a retailer?
How much you can make as a retailer depends on your role, experience, the company you work for, and many other factors. For instance, merchandising directors have a median salary of almost $200,000 per year, while retail HR managers make an average of $136,350 annually.
#3. What luxury retail store pays the most?
Bloomingdale is the highest-paying luxury retail store, paying its employees an average of $43,363 per year. Burberry is in second place, with $41,002 per year, followed by Saks Fifth Avenue Stores (SFA), which offers $39,514 annually.
