Retail Sales Compensation Survey - 2025


Retail

Current Survey Status

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Contact Us

Cherrity Ricks
+1 408 660 3272
cherrity@wmgnet.com

Steve Schwarzer
+1 408 643 0381
steve@wmgnet.com

PolicyCentral

Compensation related policy and practices information for our surveys is collected and analyzed at PolicyCentral, with over 100 topics from which you can choose.

Learn more

Need Help?
Call us at +1 408 399 4900 
or send an e-mail to:
policycentral@wmgnet.com

Survey Blog

2025 Survey Materials Available
13 November 2024

2024 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
30 August 2024

2023 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
31 August 2023

2022 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
15 August 2022

2021 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
13 August 2021

2020 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
31 August 2020

2019 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
02 August 2019

2018 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
22 August 2018

2017 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
01 August 2017

2016 Survey Results Available on DataCentral®
28 July 2016

We invite your participation in the 22nd annual edition of the Retail Sales Compensation Survey.  Initiated as a collaboration with leading retail companies, the survey has been designed to fulfill the need for a specialized and detailed compensation study for the industry.

The survey includes multiple levels for jobs in the Retail industry, from entry-level individual contributors to Executive/Senior Management positions.  For each job, we collect  Base Pay, Target Variable Cash, Actual Variable Cash, Allowances, and LTI prevalence.

Key Features

  • 106 participants were included in the 2024 edition of the survey
  • Data is collected and reported for over 300 major metro areas across the globe
  • Incumbent Based Data 
  • Guaranteed Payments and Allowances 
  • Current Base Pay 
  • Target Variable Cash 
  • Total Targeted Cash (Base Pay + Target Variable Cash) 
  • Actual Variable Cash 
  • Total Actual Cash (Base Pay + Actual Variable Cash) 
  • Job Level Scoping Factors 
  • LTI Programs
  • Thirty-Six Countries are Covered - spanning the Americas, EMEA, and AsiaPac 
  • 320+ Standardized Benchmark Positions 
  • Data Reviewed and Verified by Compensation Professionals 
  • Data Scrutinized by a Series of Complex Computer Editing Processes 
  • Participant Job Matching Meetings Conducted 
  • DataCentral® and PolicyCentral® Tools Provided at NO ADDITIONAL COST 
  • Input via our user-friendly SmartScreen® Template 
  • Electronic Output in Adobe Acrobat PDF and Microsoft XLS Software formats 
  • Run Your Own Customized Peer-Selections - Export to PDF or Spreadsheet 
  • Age Data - YOU choose the Percent and Age-To-Date 
  • Customize the Percentiles in Your Reports 
  • Adjust Exchange Rates for your Reports 
  • Aggregate Data Presentations - No Company Specific Information Revealed 
  • Results are Available to Participants ONLY 
  • Multiple Output Reports Available to Meet YOUR Needs 

New This Year

Please refer to the survey Input Instructions for a full list of updated and revised survey content.

Countries

The survey covers 36 major countries/territories in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, with over 300 specific metropolitan areas included. 

Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
 Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Luxembourg
Mexico
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
 Puerto Rico
Russian Federation
Singapore
Slovakia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Turkey
UAE
United Kingdom
United States

Survey Schedule

January 2025
1 March 2025
1 May 2025
July 2025
Distribution of Input Materials
Effective Date of Data
Deadline for Submission of Data – Extended to 15 July 2025
Results Available for Participants via DataCentral®

Survey Fees

All survey results are delivered via our DataCentral® online survey report tool. You have YEAR ROUND access to both the Standard Report which includes data from ALL participants on ALL jobs, and Custom Results where you can create your own report selections based on your choice of companies, product sectors, geographies, revenue, etc. With the Custom Report you have complete control of the complexity of analyses, comparisons, and customization of results from the survey database, and you can run an unlimited number of reports to satisfy your needs on a 24x7 basis. All results are provided in both PDF and XLS Formats, including uploadable XLS versions.  

DataCentral® Access
Provides BOTH Standard and Custom Report Access $ 3,200

Survey Discounts

We firmly believe in rewarding our survey participants for helping to make our surveys better. You can earn significant discounts this year!

$ 150   On-Time Discount if you submit your data by 1 May 2025
$ 350   Previous Participant Discount for all 2024 Retail Sales Survey Participants  
$ 500   New Participant Referral Discount for each new participant you refer – PLUS the company you refer also receives this discount!
$ 1,000   Multi-Survey Discount if you participate and purchase both the Retail Sales Compensation Survey and the Distribution Center Compensation Survey in 2025, you will receive $1,000 off of your Retail Sales Survey Fees.

Participants are invoiced when we receive their input to the survey. All applicable discounts are applied at that time.

Survey Results and Samples - DataCentral®

There are two levels of results access available depending on your needs…whether you only need the Standard Report in PDF or XLS format covering ALL of the participants and ALL of the jobs, or Custom Report access which provides complex reporting “drill-down” capabilities.  Regardless of the level chosen, all participants will receive a FULL YEAR of 24x7 access to DataCentral® to download your reports online, or run unlimited Custom Reports and get immediate results. Both levels described below will provide the analyses in both PDF and XLS Formats.
 
STANDARD DOWNLOADABLE REPORTS 
Download the full survey Standard Report which contains ALL data from ALL participants.  Your data is included in the computation of job data statistics and totals.  Available in both Adobe Acrobat.pdf and Excel.xls formats, at no additional cost. 
 
  • Job Descriptions:  Uploadable job descriptions in Excel, Word and Adobe Acrobat are also provided at no additional cost.
  • Summary Report:  Displays a line of data for each job, including basic statistics such as:
Average or Median Base Pay 
Average or Median Variable Cash 
Average or Median Total Compensation
Average or Median Target Variable Cash 
Total Number of Incumbents 
Total Number of Companies
 
View a sample of the Summary Report
 
  • Detail Report:  Provides a full page of data analysis for each job, including statistics on each pay element such as:
90th, 75th, 50th, 25th 10th Percentiles 
Employee Weighted Average
Company Weighted Average
Number of Employees Reported 
Number of Companies 
Earnings Mix: Showing Base, Variable Cash Compensation as a percentage of Total Compensation 
Union Status
FLSA Status
 
View a sample of the Detail Report
 
  • Breakout Report:  For each survey job, displays averages or median of each pay element by Business Segment, Product Category, Union Status, Employment Status and FLSA Status.
Average or Median Base Pay
Average or Median Variable Cash
Average or Median Total Compensation
Average or Median Target Variable Cash
Total Number of Incumbents
Total Number of Companies

View a sample of the Breakout Report
  • Uploadable Excel Report:  Provides a job-by-job spreadsheet report with all of the major statistics and pay elements laid out in a readily uploadable format for third party analysis software.

CUSTOM GENERATED REPORTS 

The Custom Report Option offers detailed and full customized reporting capability.  Ideal for participants who need reports based on a selected set of participants or to meet specific scoping criteria.  You have complete control and flexibility in defining your own reports to include the pay elements and statistics you require.
 

Includes Results for all countries you have submitted 
Company Selections
Company Size by Revenue or Employment
Store Type/Channel
Product Category
Geographic Area
Data Elements and Statistics Calculations
Custom Percentiles
Standard Deviations
Weighted and Simple Averages
Data Aging
And much more!

Includes all of the above reports from the Standard level PLUS
 
  • Uploadable Excel Breakout Report:  Similar to the Uploadable Excel Report above, PLUS adds the ability to split the results into categories such as Geography, Product, or Revenue, etc.
  • Market Comparison Report:  Provides a tabular and graphic comparison of your own company data to that of your selected market. An easy way to show competitive standing of your company.
View a sample of the Market Comparison Report
 
For a live demonstration of the power, flexibility and capabilities of DataCentral go to www.wmgnet.com and scroll down to ”Our Features” under “DataCentral” and click on “Take a Test Drive”, or call Cherrity Ricks at +1 408 660 3272 for additional guidance.

Recent Participants - 2024

Advance Auto Parts
aerie
Alex Lee
Amazon.com
American Eagle
Associated Food Stores
Associated Fresh Markets
AutoZone
Belk
BestBuy
Box Lunch
Brookshire Grocery
Brookshire's
C & S Wholesale Grocers
Charter Communications
Coca-Cola
Curaleaf Holdings
Dan's Supermarkets
Dick's Markets
Dillons
Disney Experiences
Dollar General
Estee Lauder
Express Lane
Food 4 Less
Food Lion
Foot Locker
Fred Meyer
FRESH by Brookshires
Fry's Food Stores
Genuine Parts
Giant Eagle
Giant Food
Green Thumb Industries
GSC Wholesale LLC
GU Markets
Hallmark Cards
Hannaford Bros
Hawaiian Logistics and Housewares
Her Universe
Hot Topic
J. Crew
J. Crew Factory
Jay C Food Stores
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers
K & G Fashion Superstore
Kiehl's Retail Stores
King Soopers
Kohl's
Kroger
Lego System A/S
Lin's Supermarkets
Luxury Beauty Stores
Macey's Supermarkets
Madewell
Mariano's
Mark And Graham
Men's Wearhouse
Nespresso
Nestle Health Science
Nestle Nutrition
Nestle USA
Nob Hill
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Offline
Petco Health and Wellness Company
PetSense
Piggly Wiggly Midwest
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Kids
Pottery Barn Teens
Quality Food Centers
Quiet Logistics
Raley's
Ralph's
Reasor's
REI Recreational Equipment
Rejuvenation
Rite Aid
Room & Board
Roundy's Supermarkets
Ruler Stores
Smith's Food & Drug Centers
SpartanNash
Spring Market
Stop & Shop Supermarkets
Super 1 Foods
Supply Chain Services
Tailored Brands
The Fruitful Yield
The Giant Company
Todd Snyder
Torrid
Town & Country Market
Tractor Supply
Unsubscribed
Wayfair
West Elm
Whole Foods Market
Williams-Sonoma
Williams-Sonoma Home
Williams-Sonoma Outlet
WinCo Foods
WNY Grocers Market
Xfinity
Zumiez

Job Coverage

NEW AND REVISED POSITIONS INDICATED IN BOLD RED ITALICS

STORE SALES / STORE MANAGEMENT JOB FAMILIES

Cashier

Cashier - Entry
Cashier - Career
Cashier - Lead

Greeter

Greeter - Entry

Sales Associate

Sales Associate / General - Entry
Sales Associate / General - Intermediate
Sales Associate / General - Career
Sales Associate / General - Lead

Sales Associate / Specialist Non-Technical - Entry
Sales Associate / Specialist Non-Technical - Intermediate
Sales Associate / Specialist Non-Technical - Career
Sales Associate / Specialist Non-Technical - Specialist
Sales Associate / Specialist Non-Technical - Lead

Sales Associate / Specialist Technical - Entry
Sales Associate / Specialist Technical - Intermediate
Sales Associate / Specialist Technical - Career
Sales Associate / Specialist Technical - Specialist
Sales Associate / Specialist Technical - Lead

Sales Associate / Personal Shopper - Career
Sales Associate / Personal Shopper - Specialist
Sales Associate / Personal Shopper - Lead

Sales Associate / Draw or Commission - Career
Sales Associate / Draw or Commission - Specialist

Sales Department Management

Sales Supervisor / Assistant Sales Manager - Single Unit/Department
Sales Supervisor / Assistant Sales Manager - Multiple Units/Departments

Sales Tactical Manager - Single Unit/Department
Sales Tactical Manager - Multiple Units/Departments

Store Management

Store Manager Trainee - Single Store

Assistant Store Manager / Store Supervisor - Single Store

Store Tactical Manager - Single Store
Store Tactical Manager - Multi-Store
Store Tactical Manager - Area
Store Tactical Manager - District

Store Strategic Manager - District
Store Strategic Manager - Multi-District
Store Strategic Manager - Country
Store Strategic Manager - Multi-Country

SPECIALTY RETAIL JOB FAMILIES

Beauty / Fragrance

Beauty / Fragrance Consultant - Entry
Beauty / Fragrance Consultant - Career
Makeup Artist - Specialist
Beauty / Fragrance Counter Manager

Optical

Optician - Career
Optometrist - Career
Optical Manager

Pharmacy

Pharmacy Clerk - Career
Pharmacy Technician - Entry
Pharmacy Technician - Career
Pharmacist - Entry
Pharmacist - Career
Pharmacy Manager

GROCERY JOB FAMILIES

Grocery Customer Assistant

Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Bakery
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Bakery
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Dairy
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Dairy
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Frozen Food
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Frozen Food
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Deli
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Deli
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Health / Beauty
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Health / Beauty
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Meat
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Meat
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Seafood
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Seafood
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Produce
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Produce
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Beverage
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Beverage
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Other
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Other
Grocery Customer Assistant - Entry - Combination
Grocery Customer Assistant - Career - Combination

Grocery Stocker

Grocery Stocker - Entry - Bakery
Grocery Stocker - Career - Bakery
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Dairy
Grocery Stocker - Career - Dairy
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Frozen Food
Grocery Stocker - Career - Frozen Food
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Deli
Grocery Stocker - Career - Deli
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Health / Beauty
Grocery Stocker - Career - Health / Beauty
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Meat
Grocery Stocker - Career - Meat
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Seafood
Grocery Stocker - Career - Seafood
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Produce
Grocery Stocker - Career - Produce
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Beverage
Grocery Stocker - Career - Beverage
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Other
Grocery Stocker - Career - Other
Grocery Stocker - Entry - Combination
Grocery Stocker - Career - Combination

Grocery Specialty

Grocery Specialist - Entry - Food Preparer/Cook
Grocery Specialist - Career - Food Preparer/Cook
Grocery Specialist - Entry - Baker
Grocery Specialist - Career - Baker
Grocery Specialist - Entry - Cake Decorator
Grocery Specialist - Career - Cake Decorator
Grocery Specialist - Entry - Butcher
Grocery Specialist - Career - Butcher
Grocery Specialist - Entry - Fish Monger
Grocery Specialist - Career - Fish Monger
Grocery Specialist - Entry - Other
Grocery Specialist - Career - Other
Grocery Specialist - Entry - Combination
Grocery Specialist - Career - Combination

Grocery Department Management

Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Bakery
Department Tactical Manager - Bakery
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Dairy
Department Tactical Manager - Dairy
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Frozen Food
Department Tactical Manager - Frozen Food
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Deli
Department Tactical Manager - Deli
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Health / Beauty
Department Tactical Manager - Health / Beauty
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Meat
Department Tactical Manager - Meat
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Seafood
Department Tactical Manager - Seafood
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Produce
Department Tactical Manager - Produce
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Beverage
Department Tactical Manager - Beverage
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Other
Department Tactical Manager - Other
Department Supervisor / Assistant Manager - Combination
Department Tactical Manager - Combination

IN-STORE SUPPORT FAMILIES

Customer Service

Customer Service Representative - Entry
Customer Service Representative - Intermediate
Customer Service Representative - Career
Customer Service Representative - Specialist
Customer Service Supervisor
Customer Service Tactical Manager
Customer Service Strategic Manager

Customer Technical Support - Entry
Customer Technical Support - Intermediate
Customer Technical Support - Career
Customer Technical Support - Specialist
Customer Technical Support Supervisor
Customer Technical Support Tactical Manager
Customer Technical Support Strategic Manager

Facilities Maintenance

Facilities Maintenance Worker - Entry
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Career
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Specialist
Facilities Maintenance Worker - Lead
Facilities Supervisor
Facilities Tactical Manager

Human Resources

Human Resources Representative - Entry
Human Resources Representative - Intermediate
Human Resources Representative - Career
Human Resources Representative - Specialist
Human Resources Tactical Manager

Janitorial

Janitor / Custodian - Entry
Janitor / Custodian - Career

Merchandise Processing

Receiver - Entry
Receiver - Career
Receiver - Lead
Receiving Tactical Manager

Stocker - Entry
Stocker - Career
Stocker - Lead
Stocking Tactical Manager

Receiver / Stocker - Entry
Receiver / Stocker - Career
Receiver / Stocker - Lead
Merchandise Processing Tactical Manager

Security / Surveillance

Security Guard - Entry - Armed
Security Guard - Career - Armed

Security Guard - Entry - Unarmed
Security Guard - Career - Unarmed

Security Representative - Entry
Security Representative - Intermediate
Security Representative - Career

Security Representative - Entry - Surveillance
Security Representative - Intermediate - Surveillance
Security Representative - Career - Surveillance

Security Representative - Entry - Investigator
Security Representative - Intermediate - Investigator
Security Representative - Career - Investigator

Security Supervisor
Security Tactical Manager

Visual Merchandising

Display Coordinator - Entry - Store Level
Display Coordinator - Career - Store Level

Visual Merchandiser - Entry - Store Level
Visual Merchandiser - Intermediate - Store Level
Visual Merchandiser - Career - Store Level
Visual Merchandiser Supervisor - Store Level
Visual Merchandiser Tactical Manager - Store Level

Visual Merchandiser - Entry - Headquarters
Visual Merchandiser - Intermediate - Headquarters
Visual Merchandiser - Career - Headquarters
Visual Merchandiser Tactical Manager - Headquarters
Visual Merchandiser Strategic Manager - Headquarters
Visual Merchandiser Top Manager - Headquarters

CORPORATE / CROSS-INDUSTRY JOB FAMILIES

Buying

Buyer - Entry
Buyer - Intermediate
Buyer - Career
Buyer - Specialist
Buying Tactical Manager

Dispatcher

Dispatcher - Entry
Dispatcher - Career

E-Commerce

E-Commerce Digital Marketing Analyst - Entry
E-Commerce Digital Marketing Analyst - Intermediate
E-Commerce Digital Marketing Analyst - Career
E-Commerce Digital Marketing Analyst - Specialist
E-Commerce Digital Marketing Tactical Manager

E-Commerce Online Merchandising - Entry
E-Commerce Online Merchandising - Intermediate
E-Commerce Online Merchandising - Career
E-Commerce Online Merchandising - Specialist
E-Commerce Online Merchandising Tactical Manager

Finance

General Accounting Representative - Career
General Accounting Tactical Manager
General Accounting Strategic Manager

Payroll Representative - Career
Payroll Tactical Manager
Payroll Strategic Manager

Credit / Collection Representative - Career
Credit / Collection Tactical Manager
Credit / Collection Strategic Manager

Controlling / Business Analyses Representative - Career
Controlling / Business Analyses Tactical Manager
Controlling / Business Analyses Strategic Manager

Audit Representative - Career
Audit Tactical Manager
Audit Strategic Manager

Information Technologies

IT Technician - Career - Internal Technical Support
IT Engineer - Intermediate - Internal Technical Support
IT Engineer - Career - Internal Technical Support
IT Tactical Manager - Internal Technical Support

IT Technician - Career - Point of Sales
IT Engineer - Intermediate - Point of Sales
IT Engineer - Career - Point of Sales
IT Tactical Manager - Point of Sales

IT Technician - Career - Pricing Systems
IT Engineer - Intermediate - Pricing Systems
IT Engineer - Career - Pricing Systems
IT Tactical Manager - Pricing Systems

IT Technician - Career - Combination/Other
IT Engineer - Intermediate - Combination/Other
IT Engineer - Career - Combination/Other
IT Tactical Manager - Combination/Other

Inventory Control

Inventory Analyst - Entry
Inventory Analyst - Intermediate
Inventory Analyst - Career
Inventory Analyst - Specialist
Inventory Control Supervisor
Inventory Control Tactical Manager
Inventory Control Top Manager

Logistics / Transportation

Logistics / Transportation Analyst- Entry
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Intermediate
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Career
Logistics / Transportation Analyst - Specialist
Logistics / Transportation Supervisor
Logistics / Transportation Tactical Manager
Logistics / Transportation Strategic Manager
Logistics / Transportation Top Manager

Loss Prevention

Loss Prevention Representative - Entry - Single Store
Loss Prevention Representative - Intermediate - Single Store
Loss Prevention Representative - Career - Single Store

Loss Prevention Tactical Manager - Single Store
Loss Prevention Tactical Manager - Area
Loss Prevention Tactical Manager - District
Loss Prevention Tactical Manager - Multi-District

Loss Prevention Strategic Manager - Multi-District
Loss Prevention Strategic Manager - Country
Loss Prevention Strategic Manager - Multi-Country

Loss Prevention Top Manager - Country
Loss Prevention Top Manager - Multi-Country

Planning / Allocation

Planning / Allocation Analyst - Entry
Planning / Allocation Analyst - Intermediate
Planning / Allocation Analyst - Career
Planning / Allocation Analyst - Specialist
Planning / Allocation Supervisor
Planning / Allocation Tactical Manager
Planning / Allocation Strategic Manager
Planning / Allocation Top Manager

Real Estate

Real Estate Representative - Career - Property Management
Real Estate Representative - Specialist - Property Management
Real Estate Tactical Manager - Property Management
Real Estate Strategic Manager - Property Management

Real Estate Representative - Career - Development / Acquisitions
Real Estate Representative - Specialist - Development / Acquisitions
Real Estate Tactical Manager - Development / Acquisitions
Real Estate Strategic Manager - Development / Acquisitions

Real Estate Representative - Career - Space Planning
Real Estate Representative - Specialist - Space Planning
Real Estate Tactical Manager - Space Planning
Real Estate Strategic Manager - Space Planning

Real Estate Representative - Career - Design & Construction
Real Estate Representative - Specialist - Design & Construction
Real Estate Tactical Manager - Design & Construction
Real Estate Strategic Manager - Design & Construction

Real Estate Representative - Career - Combination/Other
Real Estate Representative - Specialist - Combination/Other
Real Estate Tactical Manager - Combination/Other
Real Estate Strategic Manager - Combination/Other

Store Operations

Store Operations Specialist - Entry
Store Operations Specialist - Career
Store Operations Specialist - Specialist
Store Operations Tactical Manager
Store Operations Strategic Manager
Store Operations Top Manager

Telesales / Inside Sales

Telesales Representative - Entry - Outbound
Telesales Representative - Intermediate - Outbound
Telesales Representative - Career - Outbound
Inside Sales Supervisor - Outbound
Inside Sales Tactical Manager - Outbound

Telesales Representative - Entry - Inbound
Telesales Representative - Intermediate - Inbound
Telesales Representative - Career - Inbound
Inside Sales Supervisor - Inbound
Inside Sales Tactical Manager - Inbound

Telesales Representative - Entry - Combination
Telesales Representative - Intermediate - Combination
Telesales Representative - Career - Combination
Inside Sales Supervisor - Combination
Inside Sales Tactical Manager - Combination