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.
Sales Managers
SOC: 11-2022 O*NET: 11-2022.00
Median Salary
$138,060
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.7%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
49
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Sales Managers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$66,910
10th percentile
Early Career
$95,910
25th percentile
Median
$138,060
50th percentile
Experienced
$201,490
75th percentile
Top Earners
$0
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$66,910
25th
$95,910
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$138,060
Mean: $160,930
75th
$201,490
90th
$0
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans -$66,910 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $95,910 and $201,490
- •Salary spread is 76.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 603,710 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:619,500
Top Industries
Wholesale Trade20.5%
Retail Trade16.6%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services13.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.7%
Annual Openings:49,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)619,500
Current
2034 (Projected)648,500
+4.7%
+29,000
Employment Change
+4.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sales Managers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
108,120 jobs$132,4401.53x
Texas
76,980 jobs$132,2501.42x
Florida
37,060 jobs$126,4100.96x
New York
35,160 jobs$214,3500.94x
Illinois
31,160 jobs$142,1701.31x
Ohio
20,320 jobs$130,2100.94x
Pennsylvania
19,850 jobs$128,6400.84x
New Jersey
18,110 jobs$171,4901.09x
Georgia
18,110 jobs$149,5700.95x
North Carolina
18,020 jobs$134,8600.94x
Michigan
16,690 jobs$136,4800.97x
Massachusetts
13,950 jobs$170,6100.98x
Arizona
13,390 jobs$129,6901.07x
Tennessee
12,440 jobs$127,0600.97x
Minnesota
10,480 jobs$148,1900.92x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Negotiation
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Monitoring
80%
#5
Persuasion
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Management of Personnel Resources
40%
Skills Overview
Negotiation
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Monitoring
intermediate4.0
80%
Persuasion
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Negotiation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Advertising Sales Agents67%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors67%
5 shared skills
Wind Energy Operations Managers67%
5 shared skills
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products67%
5 shared skills
Coaches and Scouts67%
5 shared skills
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Negotiation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Negotiation
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Monitoring
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Sales Managers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechTableau
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechTeradata Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SQL Server
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechYardi software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Tableau
Splunk Enterprise
Bentley MicroStation
Salesforce software
Teradata Database
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
Yardi software
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (7)Communication & Coordination (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (2)Management & Supervision (3)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate, or other subjects of sale.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination94% perform96%
4
Determine price schedules and discount rates.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Direct, coordinate, and review sales and service accounting and record-keeping, as well as receiving and shipping.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination85% perform90%
7
Confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Advise dealers and distributors on policies and operating procedures to ensure functional effectiveness of business.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Sales Managers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Sales Managers professionals typically have a ECS Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sales Managers
Persistence
CriticalPersistence
Importance Level4.76
Achievement/Effort
CriticalAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.76
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.71
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.52
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Importance Level4.52
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.29
Complete Work Styles Profile
Persistence
4.8
Achievement/Effort
4.8
Initiative
4.7
Integrity
4.5
Leadership
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Dependability
4.1
Social Orientation
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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