SOC 41-2000
Retail Sales Workers
Risk Score
⚠️31/100
Moderate
US Employment
👥7,633,890
Total workers
Median Wage
💰$34K
$24K – $47K
Projected Growth
📈-4%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
🤖35/100
Moderate exposure
💡 Retail Sales Workers face a risk score of 31/100 — 13 points below the national average of 44. With only 35/100 GenAI exposure, most core tasks remain resistant to current AI capabilities. See our methodology →
💡 Workers in this field earn $34K. The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths →
🔍 AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 31/100, Retail Sales Workers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like e-commerce automation reducing in-store sales staff are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 7,633,890 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in negotiating bespoke deals with multiple stakeholders and building long-term client relationships and trust to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Retail Sales Workers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths →
⚠️ Top Risk Factors
E-commerce automation reducing in-store sales staff
Self-checkout and cashierless store technology
Dynamic pricing algorithms replacing pricing roles
🛡️ Tasks Safe from Automation
Negotiating bespoke deals with multiple stakeholders
Building long-term client relationships and trust
Resolving novel customer complaints with empathy
Consultative selling for complex or high-value products
📊 vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
🔄 Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Administrators, All Other | 21 | $89K | 65% |
| Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | 23 | $66K | 61% |
| Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers | 16 | $145K | 60% |