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Retail salespersons help customers find products they want and may process customers payments. They work in stores where they sell goods, such as books, cars, clothing, cosmetics, electronics, furniture, lumber, plants, shoes, and many other types of merchandise.
As of May 2019, there were 4,317,950 people employed in this occupation. The average hourly wage was $14.12 and the average annual wage was $29,360.
In private industry for this occupation, there were 24,870 nonfatal injury and illness cases requiring days away from work during 2019. The incidence rate per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers was 80.2.
Case characteristic[1] | Number of cases |
---|---|
Nature of injury or illness | |
Sprains, strains, tears | 8,560 |
Bruises, contusions | 4,050 |
All other natures | 3,680 |
Soreness, pain | 3,420 |
Fractures | 2,200 |
Part of body affected | |
Back | 4,160 |
Knee | 2,830 |
Hand | 2,390 |
Foot | 2,260 |
Multiple body parts | 1,960 |
Source of injury or illness | |
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces | 5,600 |
Containers | 4,810 |
Vehicles | 2,680 |
Worker motion or position | 2,640 |
All other sources | 2,480 |
Event or exposure leading to injury or illness | |
Fall on same level | 5,640 |
Struck by object or equipment | 5,030 |
Overexertion in lifting or lowering | 3,420 |
Struck against object or equipment | 1,770 |
Fall to lower level | 1,080 |
[1] Data shown correspond to Nature, Part, Source, and Event codes based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System 2.01 developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses |
Fatal work injuries totaled 36 for retail salespersons during 2019, compared to 46 during 2018.
Event or exposure[1][2] | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total fatal injuries (number) | 34 | 33 | 43 | 46 | 36 |
Violence and other injuries by persons or animals | 16 | 12 | 19 | 11 | 16 |
Transportation incidents | 7 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 |
Fires and explosions | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Falls, slips, trips | 8 | 7 | 7 | 16 | -- |
Exposure to harmful substances or environments | -- | -- | 6 | 8 | 8 |
Contact with objects and equipment | -- | -- | -- | 5 | -- |
[1] CFOI data by event are only provided if there are fatal case counts in three or more of the six event categories. For more information visit: https://www.bls.gov/iif/overview/cfoi.htm. [2] Data shown correspond to Event codes based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System 2.01 developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Note: Dashes indicate data do not meet BLS publication guidelines. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries |
Wage and employment estimates come from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program. Injury and illness information come from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). For more information on SOII and CFOI program concepts and definitions see the SOII Handbook of Methods and the CFOI Handbook of Methods.
Last Modified Date: February 5, 2021