Retailing and Retail Operations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring retail professionals, this program equips students with the comprehensive skills needed to thrive in dynamic retail environments. It emphasizes hands-on expertise in sales execution, operational efficiency, and team leadership across diverse retail sectors.
- Direct Sales Operations: Master the techniques and protocols for in-person and point-of-sale transactions, ensuring seamless customer interactions and accurate order fulfillment.
- Customer Experience Management: Develop strategies to enhance client satisfaction through personalized service, conflict resolution, and relationship-building in fast-paced retail settings.
- Basic Bookkeeping and Financial Literacy: Gain foundational knowledge in cash handling, inventory tracking, sales reporting, and maintaining accurate financial records for retail outlets.
- Team Leadership and Supervision: Learn effective methods for managing staff performance, scheduling, training, and fostering a collaborative work culture within retail teams.
- Floor and Space Management: Understand visual merchandising principles, layout optimization, and operational workflows to maximize store efficiency and customer engagement.
- Technical Retail Systems: Become proficient in using point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory software, and digital tools essential for modern retail operations and data-driven decision-making.
Retailing and Retail Operations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Retailing and Retail Operations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Retailing and Retail Operations degrees, including Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers and Sales and Related Workers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 2,466,330 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel 41-3091 | $66,260 | $36,930 - $142,040 | 1,189,330 | $31.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers 41-1011 | $47,320 | $31,120 - $76,560 | 1,113,160 | $22.75 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other 41-9099 | $46,370 | $28,060 - $95,850 | 99,070 | $22.29 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters 41-9011 | $37,960 | $30,910 - $60,320 | 64,770 | $18.25 |
Retailing and Retail Operations Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $35,823 in West Virginia to $64,165 in Rhode Island—a 79% difference. The highest-paying states include Rhode Island, Alaska, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 2,466,330 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Retailing and Retail Operations by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 34 institutions offering Retailing and Retail Operations programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Retailing and Retail Operations is found at University of Wisconsin-Madison (269 graduates), Tacoma Community College (TCC ) (186 graduates), University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia (147 graduates), Umpqua Community College (UCC) (126 graduates), and Weber State University (WSU) (70 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,000 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
|
269 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Tacoma Community College (TCC ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Residency
Other Award
|
186 | Tacoma, Washington | Public | tacomacc.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
147 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Umpqua Community College (UCC) |
Other Award
|
126 | Roseburg, Oregon | Public | umpqua.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Associate's
|
70 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Eastern Arizona College (EAC) |
Other Award
|
32 | Thatcher, Arizona | Public | eac.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Hutchinson Community College (HutchCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11 | Hutchinson, Kansas | Public | hutchcc.edu |
| Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts (Siba) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | siba.edu |
| Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
10 | Roswell, New Mexico | Public | roswell.enmu.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| CUNY Kingsborough Community College (KCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | kbcc.cuny.edu |
| Nassau Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Garden City, New York | Public | ncc.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
6 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Suffolk County Community College (SUNY) |
Associate's
|
6 | Selden, New York | Public | sunysuffolk.edu |
| Klamath Community College (KCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | klamathcc.edu |
| Black Hawk College (BHC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Moline, Illinois | Public | bhc.edu |
| Olney Central College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Olney, Illinois | Public | iecc.edu |
| Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Palos Hills, Illinois | Public | morainevalley.edu |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) |
Other Award
|
4 | Plainwell, Michigan | Public | michigan.gov |
| College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia | Public | comfsm.fm |
| Spoon River College (SRC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Canton, Illinois | Public | src.edu |
| Clackamas Community College (CCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Oregon City, Oregon | Public | clackamas.edu |
| Nashville State Community College (NSCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | nscc.edu |
| Arapahoe Community College (ACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Littleton, Colorado | Public | arapahoe.edu |
| South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Americus, Georgia | Public | southgatech.edu |
| Elgin Community College (ECC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Elgin, Illinois | Public | elgin.edu |
| Joliet Junior College (JJC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Joliet, Illinois | Public | jjc.edu |
| Kaskaskia College (KC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Centralia, Illinois | Public | kaskaskia.edu |
| William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
1 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
| Bellevue University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Bellevue, Nebraska | Private | bellevue.edu |
| Harcum College |
Associate's
|
1 | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania | Private | harcum.edu |
| Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Waycross, Georgia | Public | coastalpines.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Retailing and Retail Operations programs
How much can I earn with a Retailing and Retail Operations degree?
Salaries for Retailing and Retail Operations graduates vary by role and location. Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel earn a median of $66,260 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers earn around $47,320. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Rhode Island average $64,165 compared to $35,823 in West Virginia. Approximately 2,466,330 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Retailing and Retail Operations programs?
Currently 34 accredited institutions offer Retailing and Retail Operations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Madison (269 graduates), Tacoma Community College (TCC ) (186 graduates), and University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia (147 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Retailing and Retail Operations growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 727 in 2010 to 1,000 in 2023-24. This represents a 38% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Retailing and Retail Operations degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel, First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers, and Sales and Related Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 2,466,330 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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