Sales Managers
Sales managers plan and direct the distribution of products or services to customers. They establish sales territories, set quotas and goals, and develop training programs for sales representatives. Sales managers work in various industries including retail, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and technology, typically in office and field settings.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sales managers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A sales manager's week involves reviewing sales performance data, meeting with sales representatives to discuss progress toward goals, and adjusting strategies based on market conditions. Time is spent coaching underperforming team members, preparing reports for upper management, and occasionally meeting directly with key customers. Administrative tasks include updating sales systems, approving expense reports, and scheduling training sessions.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECS. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely succeed in this role if you're driven to achieve measurable results and enjoy organizing people and processes systematically. You're comfortable with data analysis and rules-based decision making, and you find satisfaction in building efficient systems and reaching concrete targets.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- National Reseller Sales Manager - CDW · Huntress · USA · Remote
- Manager, Inside Sales - Enterprise · MaintainX · USA · Remote
- Sales Account Manager - Nuclear Medicine · Mirion Technologies · Remote · Remote
- Americas Sales Business Partner Manager · Twilio · USA · Remote
- Regional Sales Mgr · US Foods · Sacramento, Sacramento County · $134,148–$134,148
- District Sales Manager · Freudenberg Group · United States · Remote
- Program Manager - Sales Training and Development · Abbott · United States · Remote
- Manager, Enterprise Sales Engineering - New York · Chainguard · United States · Remote
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $163,090 | $217,640 | $316,030 | 38,510 |
| Massachusetts | $141,040 | $191,200 | $235,420 | 15,010 |
| Virginia | $134,490 | $191,130 | $236,690 | 9,670 |
| Colorado | $140,990 | $180,850 | $237,710 | 8,780 |
| Washington | $130,610 | $174,000 | $226,150 | 10,030 |
| New Jersey | $132,620 | $173,020 | $225,790 | 20,090 |
| Connecticut | $120,500 | $162,110 | $214,590 | 8,560 |
| Kansas | $122,110 | $159,990 | $206,810 | 6,820 |
| Georgia | $106,500 | $159,890 | $210,260 | 17,690 |
| Maine | $93,610 | $158,660 | $174,990 | — |
| Oregon | $114,390 | $155,810 | $212,110 | 5,260 |
| Illinois | $108,420 | $155,280 | $208,670 | 32,240 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) — National Association of Home Builders
- Professional Certification in Advanced Service and Sales — National Retail Federation Foundation
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP) — National Ground Water Association
- Certified Sales Counselor — National Wood Flooring Association
- SAP Certified Associate - SAP S/4HANA Sales 2021 (C_TS462_2021) — SAP America, Inc.
- SAP Certified Associate - SAP S/4HANA Sales 2022 (C_TS462_2022) — SAP America, Inc.
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
and 153 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sales managers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 11-2022.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.