Counter and Rental Clerks
SOC 41-2021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Counter and Rental Clerks is $37,400, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $41,630, and an estimated 390,300 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +21.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +2.9% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 3.2% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Counter and Rental Clerks has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $37,400 | $37,400 | 390,300 |
| 2022 | $35,830 | $37,305 | 370,770 |
| 2021 | $31,330 | $35,230 | 371,620 |
| 2020 | $30,870 | $36,344 | 368,300 |
Nominal change
+21.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+2.9%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+3.2%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
408,200
Projected 2034
421,300
Annual Openings
45,900
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Counter and Rental Clerks earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $37,400. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $46,450 | +24.2% | 1,100 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $45,320 | +21.2% | 90 |
| Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $45,280 | +21.1% | 270 |
| Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $44,970 | +20.2% | 180 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $44,530 | +19.1% | 60 |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $44,510 | +19% | 100 |
| New Hampshire | $44,190 | +18.2% | 1,740 |
| Washington | $44,020 | +17.7% | 14,850 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $43,560 | +16.5% | 370 |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $43,560 | +16.5% | 110 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$27,330
25th Pct
$32,240
Median
$37,400
75th Pct
$46,790
90th Pct
$59,600
Related Occupations in Sales & Related
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.