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Sales Manager: Salary, Requirements & How to Become One
A data-driven guide to the Sales Manager career path — what the role involves, how to get hired, and how much demand there is right now.
$148,270
median annual salary
$71.28
median hourly pay
637,080
employed nationally
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How much does a Sales Manager make?
The median Sales Manager salary is $148,270 per year (about $71.28/hour). Pay scales with experience, location, and employer — here is the full national distribution:
| Percentile | Annual salary | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry) | $73,170 | Bottom 10% — new entrants, lower-cost areas |
| Median (50th) | $148,270 | Typical Sales Manager pay |
| 90th (top) | $290,540 | Top 10% — senior, high-cost metros |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, occupation "Sales Managers" (SOC 11-2022). Official U.S. government wage data.
How to become a Sales Manager
- Build the core skills — through schooling, certification, or self-study relevant to Sales Manager work.
- Gain hands-on experience via entry-level roles, internships, or apprenticeships.
- Prepare a targeted resume highlighting measurable results.
- Apply through major job boards and company career pages; filter for "Sales Manager jobs near me".
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Sales Manager careers — frequently asked questions
- How much does a Sales Manager make?
- The median Sales Manager salary is $148,270 per year (about $71.28/hour), per BLS OEWS, May 2025. The middle range runs from $73,170 (10th percentile) to $290,540 (90th percentile), varying by experience, location, and employer.
- How do I become a Sales Manager?
- Most paths combine relevant education or certification with hands-on experience. Entry-level openings and apprenticeships are a common way in.
- Is Sales Manager a good career in 2026?
- Sales Managers employ roughly 637,080 people nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and search demand runs near 5,000 queries per month — both signal steady hiring.