Mid-Level

Parts Salesperson

The parts retail professional — selling automotive parts and building customer relationships.

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 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 Salesperson

As a Parts Salesperson, you sell automotive parts in a retail environment. You help customers find what they need, make recommendations, and complete sales. You balance customer service with sales performance.

Your day involves customer interactions and sales. You might help customers identify needed parts, make recommendations, ring up sales, build relationships with regular customers, and meet sales targets.

If you enjoy retail sales in an automotive environment, parts sales provides that combination. The challenge is balancing help with selling effectively. The people who succeed serve customers well while achieving sales results.

RelationshipsModerate
IndependenceLower
SupportLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Sales expectationsCommission structureCustomer typeStore typeSchedule
Parts sales varies by employer philosophy. Some heavily emphasize sales metrics. Others focus on service first. Customer bases range from DIY to professional. Compensation structures vary significantly.
✦ 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 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 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
2
Product knowledge
Expertise enables recommendations
3
Add-on selling
Ensuring customers have everything needed
What are the sales expectations?
What is the compensation structure?
What is the customer profile?
What training is provided?
What advancement exists?
✦ 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 ListeningPersuasionReading ComprehensionService OrientationSocial 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.