Sales Associate Jobs in Los Angeles, CA
Sales associates in Los Angeles now start above the city's $18.42 minimum wage, with posted rates of $18.50 to $23 an hour at Target, UNIQLO, lululemon and The Home Depot. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring, what it pays and how to get started.
Current sales associate Openings in Los Angeles, CA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Sales Associate Work in Los Angeles
Retail sales work in Los Angeles follows the malls and the big-box corridors. Century City and the Glendale Galleria anchor the apparel and specialty stores, while home improvement and general merchandise stores line arterials like North Figueroa Street in Cypress Park, West Jefferson Boulevard near Playa Vista and Empire Avenue in Burbank. Because the City of Los Angeles sets its own minimum wage, which rose to $18.42 on July 1, 2026, entry pay here runs higher than in much of California, and specialty and big-box sellers post well above that floor. The holiday season drives a hiring wave each fall, and several chains are posting seasonal part-time roles through December 2026.
Top Los Angeles Employers Hiring Sales Associates
These employers have current sales associate openings in and around Los Angeles posted on their own careers sites:
- The Home Depot - hires customer service and sales associates and bonus-eligible sales specialists at its North Figueroa Street and West Jefferson Boulevard stores.
- Target - staffs specialty sales roles in style, tech and beauty at its Empire Avenue store in Burbank, with applications taken on an ongoing basis.
- UNIQLO - posts seasonal part-time retail sales associate roles at Century City and the Glendale Galleria for the holiday rush.
- lululemon - hires part-time "educators," its title for sales associates, at its Century City store, with a target bonus on top of base pay.
Sales Associate Salaries in Los Angeles
- Entry level: about $18.50 to $20 an hour for new associates and seasonal hires.
- Experienced: roughly $20 to $23.50 an hour at big-box and specialty retailers.
- Specialist or top of range: about $22 to $26 an hour for sales specialists and associates with bonus pay.
These are estimates drawn from pay ranges posted by Los Angeles employers in 2026 and BLS 2025 wage data for the metro, where the median retail salesperson earned $18.13 an hour and the top 10 percent earned $26.27 or more. Pay moves with the store type, your product knowledge, bonus eligibility and whether you work full time. Inside city limits no employer can pay less than $18.42 an hour.
How to Become a Sales Associate in Los Angeles
There is no California state license for retail sales associates, and most stores hire with no prior experience and train on the job. Workers under 18 need a California work permit, issued through their school during the school year. If you want a credential that leads toward management, Los Angeles City College offers a Retail Management WAFC Certificate of Achievement. The City of Los Angeles also runs 14 WorkSource Centers, including Boyle Heights, Hollywood and West LA, that offer free job training, resume help and referrals.
What the Job Involves
Sales associates greet shoppers, answer product questions, recommend items and ring up sales on the register or a handheld device. They restock the floor, set displays, process returns and exchanges, and keep fitting rooms and aisles in order. Many stores track sales or service goals, and weekend, evening and holiday shifts are standard.
Skills Employers Look For
- Friendly, confident customer service
- Product knowledge and the ability to recommend items
- Cash handling and point-of-sale experience
- Bilingual English and Spanish, valued at many LA stores
- Availability for weekends, evenings and holidays
- Comfort standing and lifting merchandise for a full shift
Career Path and Advancement
Most Los Angeles associates move up inside the store: from seasonal to permanent, then to key holder or department lead, assistant store manager and store manager. Big-box chains like The Home Depot add specialist tracks that pay more than general floor roles, and associates who know a product category well can move into visual merchandising, buying or district roles. A retail management certificate from Los Angeles City College can shorten the path to supervisor.
Related Careers in Los Angeles
If retail sales interests you, these related Los Angeles roles use the same people skills:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sales associates make in Los Angeles?
Posted pay at Los Angeles stores in 2026 runs from about $18.50 to $23 an hour, with specialist and bonus-eligible roles reaching $25 or more. The legal floor inside the City of Los Angeles is $18.42 an hour as of July 1, 2026.
Do you need a license to be a sales associate in California?
No. California does not license retail sales associates. Workers under 18 do need a work permit, which is issued through their school.
Do I need retail experience to get hired?
Usually not. Most Los Angeles retailers train new associates on the job, and seasonal holiday roles are a common way in. Customer service experience from restaurants or other front-desk work helps.
When do Los Angeles stores hire for the holidays?
Seasonal hiring starts in late summer and runs through the fall. In 2026, UNIQLO posted seasonal part-time roles at Century City and the Glendale Galleria in August and September, with work through December and required Black Friday shifts.
Are there free job training programs for retail work in Los Angeles?
Yes. The City of Los Angeles runs 14 WorkSource Centers that offer free job training, resume and interview help, and employer referrals. Los Angeles City College offers a Retail Management WAFC Certificate of Achievement for those aiming at supervisor roles.
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