How does a Retail Manager's salary in Dayton compare to the rest of Ohio?

Dayton's cost of living index is 83 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted downward accordingly. A Retail Manager earning the city-adjusted median of $40,172 earns $14,428 less than the median household income in Dayton ($54,600).

Retail Manager Salary in Dayton, OH — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Dayton's cost of living (index: 83). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Retail Manager Salary in Dayton — Key Numbers

$40,172

Median Salary

$29,946

25th Percentile

$55,461

75th Percentile

$74,866

90th Percentile

National median (Retail Manager)$48,400

vs. National median-17.0%

Dayton median household income$54,600

vs. City household income-26.4%

Cost of Living in Dayton

Cost of Living Index

83(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$875/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio26.1%

Annual rent cost$10,500

Median Home Price$170,000

Home Price / Salary4.2×

20% Down Payment$34,000

Years to save (20% rate)4.2 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Dayton

4.7%

Unemployment Rate

820,000

Metro Population

22 min

Avg Commute

36.4

Median Age

Dayton has a metro population of 820,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.7% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Dayton

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Cost of Living — Dayton

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Retail Manager Salary in Ohio

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Dayton

Physician$190,319 Chief Executive Officer$174,300 Dentist$145,673 IT Manager$140,693 Marketing Manager$130,825 Lawyer$120,981

Retail Manager Salary — Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH$43,560 Cleveland, OH$41,140 Cincinnati, OH$44,044 Akron, OH$40,172 Toledo, OH$38,720

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Retail Manager make in Dayton, OH?

The estimated median salary for a Retail Manager in Dayton is $40,172 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $48,400 adjusted by Dayton's cost of living index (83). The typical salary range runs from $29,946 (25th percentile) to $55,461 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $74,866.

Is Dayton affordable for a Retail Manager?

On a $40,172 annual salary, a Retail Manager in Dayton would spend approximately 26.1% of gross monthly income on median rent ($875/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Dayton relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $170,000 is 4.2× the annual salary.

How does a Retail Manager's salary compare to Dayton's overall income?

Dayton's median household income is $54,600. A Retail Manager earning the city-adjusted median of $40,172 earns 26.4% less than the typical Dayton household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Dayton has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Explore More Salary Data

Retail Manager — National Retail Manager in Ohio All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.