Exposed • Entry-Level

Retail Salesperson.

Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

Salary$34,580per year
Openings555,800per year
Growth0%10 year

Example job titles

Car Salesman, ClerkCustomer AssistantRetail SalespersonSales AssociateSales ClerkSales ConsultantSales PersonSales Representative, SalesmanBrand AmbassadorRetail AssociateFloor AssociateCustomer Service Representative

Why This Rating.

[01]

This role is exposed

Retail sales is increasingly moving online, and even in-store, self-checkout and AI-powered recommendation tools are reducing the need for human salespeople. The work involves limited judgment, no legal accountability, and customers often prefer browsing independently. Physical presence on the sales floor offers some protection, but it's not enough to offset the steady erosion from e-commerce and automation.

Risks & Opportunities.

[02]
[01] Risks
85%

of consumer product searches now start online, not in store[1]

The product recommendation task, one of the heaviest in the role, already shows a 43% automation rate in AI usage data. AI-powered recommendation engines and conversational shopping assistants are handling a meaningful share of the "help the customer find what they want" workflow, which is the core of retail selling. Salesforce's 2024 State of Sales report found that 81% of sales teams are either using or experimenting with generative AI, with customer-facing product guidance among the top use cases [Salesforce, Nov 2024]. Meanwhile, BLS projects retail salesperson employment to decline 2% over the next decade, a loss of roughly 86,000 positions, as self-checkout, e-commerce, and AI chat tools reduce headcount needs [U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sep 2024].

[02] Opportunities
78%

of salespeople say AI frees time for selling[1]

Describing merchandise and explaining product use, operation, and care shows a 43% augmentation rate, the highest in the role. This is the consultative, hands-on side of retail selling: demonstrating a product, troubleshooting fit, explaining compatibility. AI can surface specs and comparisons, but the in-person explanation still relies on a human. Salesforce's State of the Connected Customer research found that retailers investing in AI-assisted clienteling tools see higher average transaction values, because associates spend less time on inventory lookups and more on consultative selling [Salesforce, 2024]. Answering store and merchandise questions also shows a 29% augmentation rate, suggesting AI is supplementing product knowledge rather than replacing the interaction.

Observed AI Impact.

[03]

AI is starting to automate these

Share of AI conversations where this task is handled solo, with little human involvement.

Greet / assess customer needs
Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
79.2% automated
Med usage
Answer store / product questions
Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.
69.6% automated
Med usage

AI assists but needs guidance

Share of AI conversations where this task is handled collaboratively, with a human steering.

Explain product use / care
Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
64.8% augmented
High usage
Recommend / locate merchandise
Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.
56.1% augmented
High usage

AI hasn't figured these out

Low or no AI usage recorded for these tasks.

Process sales and payments
Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.
No data
Prepare merchandise for sale
Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.
No data
Operate / balance cash registers
Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.
No data
Package purchases / wrap gifts
Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
No data
Track promotions and policies
Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.
No data
Prepare sales contracts / slips
Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
No data

Data: Anthropic Economic Index (Jun 2026) · Real-world Claude usage patterns across occupations

How to Adapt.

[04]
[01] Already in this role?

Start using AI product-lookup tools (chatbots, internal knowledge bases) to answer routine inventory and spec questions faster, so more floor time goes to hands-on demos and consultative conversations. Over the next six months, build depth in the areas AI handles worst in this role: live product demonstration, fitting and compatibility troubleshooting, and post-sale relationship building. Salesforce research shows retailers combining AI product-lookup tools with in-person consultative selling see stronger conversion rates than either channel alone [Salesforce, 2024].

“AI tools are handling product lookup and comparison at speed, but the highest-converting in-store interactions still happen when a knowledgeable associate uses those lookups as a starting point, not an ending point, for the conversation.”

Salesforce, State of the Connected Customer

“The most effective sales teams are using AI for customer intelligence and then doubling their investment in face-to-face relationship building, not choosing one over the other.”

Salesforce State of Sales Report

[02] Thinking of entering?

The retail sales jobs with the longest shelf life are the ones that require real product expertise and in-person interaction: specialty retail (electronics, outdoor gear, automotive), showroom sales, and high-touch customer service roles. Generic cashier-plus-greeter positions are the most exposed to self-checkout and AI chat. Salesforce's research found that sales roles emphasizing relationship management and complex product knowledge were the least likely to see AI-driven headcount reductions [Salesforce, Nov 2024]. If entering retail, target roles where explaining, demonstrating, or customizing the product is the main job, not just ringing it up.

“Sales roles that combine product expertise with consultative interaction are seeing the strongest demand growth, even as transactional roles flatten.”

Salesforce State of Sales Report

“Retailers that invested in associate training on AI-assisted selling tools saw stronger average transaction values compared to stores that deployed the tools without the training. The human skill layer on top of AI is where the revenue impact lands.”

Salesforce, State of the Connected Customer

The Career Map.

[05]

The full BLS career track, plus relevant emerging AI-native paths. Click any role to see how to transition to it.

Entry

Retail Salesperson

★ This Role

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Advertising Sales Agent

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AI-Powered Customer Service Specialist

✦ Emerging

E-Commerce Personalization Analyst

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AI Product Data Specialist

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AI Customer Service Agent Trainer

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Mid-Level

Manufacturing Sales Representative

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Shifting

Real Estate Sales Agent

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Senior

Real Estate Broker

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Sales Engineer

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Lead or Specialist

Sales Manager

11-2022.00

Strong

Sources

0.Retail Salesperson Occupational Data- O*NET Online

  1. 1.State of the Connected Customer 2024- Salesforce, 2024
  2. 2.State of Service Report 2024- Salesforce, 2024
  3. 3.The value of getting personalization right—or wrong—is multiplying- McKinsey & Company, Nov 2021
  4. 4.Future of Work Report: AI at Work- LinkedIn Economic Graph, Jan 2024
  5. 5.AI in Customer Service Adoption Trends- Statista and Customer Service Industry Reports, Jan 2025