Description

Retail sales associates sell products directly to consumers. 

Workers in retail sales engage regularly with customers and must be able to communicate well. Having strong interpersonal and customer service skills, as well as knowledge of the products being sold, is necessary to understand customers’ needs, answer product questions, and help customers select the best products. Retail sales associates also tell customers about product promotions. Basic computer and accounting skills are needed to process transactions and customer payments, and workers with strong organizational skills help the store run efficiently.

Retail sales associates stand for much of their shift, and those selling HVAC/R products may need the ability to lift up to 50 pounds to assist in retrieving products for customers and stocking shelves.

Having an energetic, team-oriented attitude helps to build a strong customer base and support the sales goals of the business.

Retail sales associates typically work indoors. Many positions are full-time and include evening, weekend, and holidays shifts. Some retail sales associates work part-time.

Job Outlook

According to the New York State Department of Labor, there are approximately 233,700 retail salespeople working across all industries in New York State. Opportunities for employment are expected to be unfavorable through 2032; they project a decrease of 14,130 jobs between 2022 and 2032.

Entering the Field

Retail sales associates typically do not need a formal education or prior experience to obtain an entry-level position; however, some employers prefer to hire workers with a high school diploma or GED and in the HVAC/R field, employers may give preference to applicants with existing knowledge of the products. Job duties are usually learned on-the-job in the first month of employment.

Wages

In New York State, the median wage for retail sales associates is approximately $37,800. Entry-level workers earn about $33,900 and experienced workers earn about $48,500.

Annual Wage (Q1 2025 dollars, rounded to 100s) – Statewide and by Labor Market Region

Source: New York State Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Survey, SOC Code 41-2031 (Retail Salespersons)

Employers

Retail sales associates working in the HVAC/R field may be employed by plumbing and HVAC/R supply companies, other retailers that sell related equipment and materials, or manufacturers that also sell their products directly to consumers.

The top three employers with the most online job advertisements in each region in 2025 are listed below.

Capital Region

• Holbrook Heating
• Ferguson Enterprises
• VP Supply Corporation

Central New York

• Holbrook Heating
• Irr Supply Centers
• VP Supply Corporation

Finger Lakes

• Holbrook Heating
• VP Supply Corporation
• Wallace Supply

Hudson Valley

• Holbrook Heating
• Johnstone Supply
• Homans Associates

Long Island

• Ferguson Enterprises
• Homans Associates
• Nugent & Potter

Mohawk Valley (All ads posted in 2025 were from a single employer.)

• Holbrook Heating

New York City

• Ferguson Enterprises
• Johnstone Supply
• Daikin

North Country (Employers did not post any job ads online in 2025.)

Southern Tier (All ads posted in 2025 were from two employers.)

• I.D. Booth
• VP Supply Corporation

Western New York

• Famous Enterprises
• Thulin Enterprises
• Wallace Supply

Source: Lightcast™. 2025.

Labor Unions

Workers in sales-related occupations have low rates of unionization. Retail workers who are members of a union may belong to the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) or the larger United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which RWDSU is part of. Check with local communities to see if these unions or others have active local chapters whose members work as retail sales associates in the HVAC/R field.

Education and Training Programs

Educational attainment beyond high school is typically not required to work as a retail sales associate and training is usually provided on the job. 

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