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Retail Salespersons

The short answer

Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 32,773 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.

How much AI could touch this job

Middleband 3 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 63% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Recommend, select, and help locate or obtain merchandise based on customer needs and desires.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Maintain records related to sales.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Compute sales prices, total purchases, and receive and process cash or credit payment.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions, policies regarding payment and exchanges, and security practices.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Prepare merchandise for purchase or rental.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Open and close cash registers, performing tasks such as counting money, separating charge slips, coupons, and vouchers, balancing cash drawers, and making deposits.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Demonstrate use or operation of merchandise.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Exchange merchandise for customers and accept returns.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Parts Salespersons

    Very similar work
    +20% pay663 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 20% more—$45,595 vs your $38,061 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Sales and Marketing
    • Oral Expression
    • Active Listening
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Administration and Management
    • Personnel and Human Resources
    • Computers and Electronics
    • Mechanical
    • Production and Processing
  • Cashiers

    Very similar work
    slightly less pay28,642 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays slightly less—$35,818 vs your $38,061 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language
    • Sales and Marketing

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Stockers and Order Fillers

    Similar work
    +5% pay25,104 openings/yrLess exposed than your job now

    Pays about 5% more—$39,881 vs your $38,061 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Active Listening
    • Oral Expression
    • English Language

    New skills to build

    • Extent Flexibility
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Static Strength
    • Manual Dexterity
  • Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

    Somewhat similar work
    +18% pay1,050 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 18% more—$44,883 vs your $38,061 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes one to two years.

    Skills you already have

    • Sales and Marketing
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Oral Comprehension
    • Oral Expression
    • Speech Clarity

    New skills to build

    • Visualization
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Visual Color Discrimination
    • Far Vision
    • Manual Dexterity