How much does a sales manager make?
a year · about $71 an hour
A typical sales manager in the United States makes $148,270 a year, about $71 an hour, about 2.9× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They check sales reports and customer trends, set goals, and coach sales reps on presentations or closing deals. They may also train new hires, handle tough customer complaints, and meet with customers or distributors.
Did you know? O*NET reports that every Sales Manager respondent in its survey said they handle customer complaints every day.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $73,170 and $290,540How do you become one?
In the US, a common route is to earn a bachelor’s degree, often in business, then start in a sales job. After several years selling, move up to lead a sales team; some employers accept a high-school diploma.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, location, industry, and what a company sells. Many employers combine a base salary with commissions or bonuses, so individual, team, or company sales results can change total pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New York ($217,640), lowest in West Virginia ($94,830).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $73,170 | $148,270 | $290,540 | about 637,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $217,640 | about 39,000 |
| Massachusetts | $191,200 | about 15,000 |
| Virginia | $191,130 | about 10,000 |
| Colorado | $180,850 | about 9,000 |
| Washington | $174,000 | about 10,000 |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-2022.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
- www.careergirls.org/careers/sales-manager
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY