What Sales Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Sales Managers this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service"; "Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts"; "Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate, or other subjects of sale"; "Determine price schedules and discount rates"; "Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Sales Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 650,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 679,100 in 2035, an increase of 29,000 jobs (+4.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 47,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $148,270, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Sales Managers earn the most
Across the 20 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $128,693 in Florida to $209,041 in New York, a gap of $80,348 (1.62 times). 13 of those 20 states average above the BLS national median of $148,270 and 7 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 102,240, which is 17.5% of the 583,310 counted across them. Texas follows with 69,390.
Highest-paying states
New York ($209,041), New Jersey ($201,872) and New Hampshire ($201,517) lead the ranking, while Florida ($128,693) and California ($136,402) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Sales Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 28 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Rockingham County, NH (Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH) at $124,761. The smallest margin is $45,617 in Riverside County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 28 of the 28 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 10.2% and 32.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Sales Managers
Marketing Managers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-2000) include Public Relations Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Sales Managers
How much do Sales Managers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $148,270. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $128,693 to $209,041.
Which state pays Sales Managers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $209,041. New Jersey is next at $201,872.
Is Sales Managers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 47,300 openings a year.
What education do Sales Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can Sales Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Rockingham County, NH leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $124,761 on a median wage of $206,610.