Sales Manager Salary in 2026
Sales managers lead sales teams, set targets, develop strategies, and analyze sales data to drive revenue growth. They recruit, train, and motivate sales professionals.
Median Salary
$148,270
$12,356/mo
Entry Level
$86,800
starting pay
Senior Level
$194,100
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Sales Managers (SOC 11-2022) at a national median of $148,270 per year (mean $164,350), or $71.28 per hour, with 637,080 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Sales Manager Overview
Sales managers lead sales teams, set targets, develop strategies, and analyze sales data to drive revenue growth. They recruit, train, and motivate sales professionals.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
5-8 years
Industry
Sales
Total Jobs (US)
637K
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Sales
Hourly Rate
$71.28/hr
Monthly Pay
$12,356
Sales Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Sales Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Sales Manager Salary
$158,000
$13,167/month · $6,077/biweekly · $75.96/hr
Sales Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Sales Manager field.
Entry-level Sales Managers earn around $86,800, while the top 10% earn $228,450 or more.
Top Paying States for Sales Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $175,000 | +$26,730 |
| New York | $171,000 | +$22,730 |
| Illinois | $154,000 | +$5,730 |
| Texas | $145,000 | $-3,270 |
| Florida | $145,000 | $-3,270 |
Top Paying Cities for Sales Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $175,000 | +$26,730 |
| Los Angeles | $166,000 | +$17,730 |
| Chicago | $156,000 | +$7,730 |
| Miami | $151,000 | +$2,730 |
| Dallas | $148,000 | $-270 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Sales Manager Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Sales Manager.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Sales Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Sales Manager from entry level to expert.
$86,800
0-2 years
$140,000
3-7 years
$194,100
8-14 years
$262,800
15+ years
Related Sales Jobs
Sales Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a Sales Manager make in 2026?
The median salary for a Sales Manager in the United States is $148,270 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Sales Managers (SOC 11-2022); the mean is $164,350. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $86,800, senior professionals around $194,100, and top earners at $262,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Sales Manager?
A Sales Manager typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 5-8 years of experience. Key skills include Sales Strategy, CRM, Team Leadership. Relevant certifications such as Certified Sales Professional or HubSpot Sales can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Sales Managers?
The job market for Sales Managers is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 637K Sales Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 16%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Sales Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for Sales Managers include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $171,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Sales Manager salary?
To increase your Sales Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Sales Strategy and CRM. Pursue certifications such as Certified Sales Professional. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 5-8 years of experience, you can progress from $86,800 to $194,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Sales Manager Salary
How we calculate Sales Manager salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Sales Managers (SOC 11-2022), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $148,270, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Sales Managers; BLS mean $164,350; BLS hourly median $71.28.
- Entry-level ($86,800) and senior-level ($194,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 637,080 Sales Managers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Sales sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $148,270; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Sales Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Sales Manager job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Sales
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Sales Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Sales Strategy, CRM, Team Leadership), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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