Sales Managers
SOC code 11-2022 · O*NET-SOC 11-2022.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Sales managers set targets, coach the team, assign territories and own the number. Most are promoted from successful sales roles — the top of this occupation's pay range reflects commission-heavy industries and large teams.
Sales Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$148,270
a year
Hourly
$71.28
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$164,350
$79.02 per hour
Middle 50%
$100,360 – $207,340
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$73,170 – $290,540
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
637,080
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $73,170
- $35.18/hr
- 25th percentile
- $100,360
- $48.25/hr
- Median percentile
- $148,270
- $71.28/hr
- 75th percentile
- $207,340
- $99.68/hr
- 90th percentile
- $290,540
- $139.68/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
619,500
jobs in 2024
648,500
projected for 2034
About 29,000 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a sales manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
- Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
- Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs, and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
- Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
- Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs.
- Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate, or other subjects of sale.
- Determine price schedules and discount rates.
How to become a sales manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 71% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree71%
- Some College Courses19%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%
- Master's Degree5%
Common questions
How much does a sales manager earn?
The national median is $148,270 a year. The full range runs from $73,170 at the 10th percentile to $290,540 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a sales manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is sales manager in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Sales and Marketing4.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Education and Training3.2/5
- Economics and Accounting3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Negotiation, Social Perceptiveness, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources.