How much can you make working at a furniture store?

Question

Anybody have any clue what kind of wages you can make working at a furniture store? I work in North Dakota, where the average salary is around $20,000/year. I was talking with a friend and he said I should try and get a job at a furniture store because he heard they make around $55,000/year. Does anybody know if this sounds right?

Answer 1

Yikes. A furniture salesperson in a high-traffic, well-known, high-cost  or boutique store may see commissions that approach that number, but the vast majority of entry-level positions are nowhere near that lucrative or stable. Unless you have a sales background, you'll probably end up working in a warehouse-style "discount" furniture store.

Answer 2

Your friend is far too optimistic.  Here are some statistics compiled on furniture salesperson wages in 2006.  Decide for yourself.

Median wages (2006) $9.50 hourly, $19,760 annual



Employment (2006) 4,477,000 employees



Projected growth (2006-2016) Average (7% to 13%) Average (7% to 13%)



Projected need (2006-2016) 1,935,000 additional employees