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Sales

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
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Median pay

$47,320
Median annual pay for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

125,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

1,432,600
Estimated U.S. employment for First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-72,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Learning Strategies

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Administration and Management
  3. 3Sales and Marketing
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Education and Training
  6. 6Personnel and Human Resources

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Speech Clarity
  4. 4Speech Recognition
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Leadership Orientation
  3. 3Social Orientation
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Attention to Detail

Work activities

  1. 1Training and Teaching Others
  2. 2Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  3. 3Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  4. 4Coaching and Developing Others
  5. 5Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  4. 4Telephone Conversations
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

Representative tasks

  • Provide customer service by greeting and assisting customers and responding to customer inquiries and complaints.
  • Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or in performing services for customers.
  • Examine merchandise to ensure that it is correctly priced and displayed and that it functions as advertised.
  • Monitor sales activities to ensure that customers receive satisfactory service and quality goods.
  • Instruct staff on how to handle difficult and complicated sales.
  • Assign employees to specific duties.
  • Keep records of purchases, sales, and requisitions.
  • Perform work activities of subordinates, such as cleaning and organizing shelves and displays and selling merchandise.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandAdobe Acrobat · hot technologyKronos Workforce Timekeeper · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Edge · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyYardi software · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Visio · hot technologyMicrosoft Windows · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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