Mid-Level

Parts Counter Salesperson

The auto parts sales professional — driving parts sales through expertise and customer service.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
E
S
I
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Parts Counter Salespersons
Employment concentration · ~389 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Parts Counter Salesperson

As a Parts Counter Salesperson, you sell automotive parts directly to customers at the counter. You combine product knowledge with sales ability, helping customers find what they need while building sales volume through service and expertise.

Your day involves selling parts to customers. You might greet customers, assess their needs, recommend appropriate parts, suggest related items, process sales, and follow up with customers who have questions after purchase.

If you have both automotive knowledge and sales drive, parts counter sales puts both to work. The challenge is balancing customer service with sales performance expectations. The people who succeed help customers genuinely while building their sales numbers.

RelationshipsModerate
IndependenceLower
SupportLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Commission structureSales expectationsCustomer typeProduct focusEmployer type
Parts sales varies by employer compensation philosophy. Some emphasize commission; others are service-focused. Customer mixes range from DIY to professional. Sales expectations and metrics vary.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Parts Counter Salespersons (SOC 41-2022.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Parts Counter Salesperson career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Consultative selling
Understanding needs before recommending builds trust
2
Product expertise
Knowledge enables confident recommendations
3
Relationship building
Repeat customers drive consistent performance
What are the sales expectations and metrics?
What is the compensation structure?
What is the customer profile?
What training and support is provided?
What advancement opportunities exist?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$28K–$62K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
265K
U.S. Employment
+3.1%
10yr Growth
30K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingActive ListeningPersuasionService OrientationReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingWriting
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-2022.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.