Sales Managers

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.

How to read this profile

BLS projects U.S. employment for Sales Managers to increase by 4.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 650,100 to 679,100 jobs. Its estimate of 47,300 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($148,270), education (Bachelor's degree), and related experience (Less than 5 years) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.

Base employment (2024)

650,100

Projected employment (2034)

679,100

Projected change (2024–2034)

5%

Annual openings (projected average)

47,300

Pay & Preparation
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$148,270

Bachelor's degree

Less than 5 years

None

Essential Skills

Speaking (4/5) • Active Listening (4/5) • Negotiation (4/5) • Reading Comprehension (3.88/5) • Management of Personnel Resources (3.88/5) • Critical Thinking (3.88/5)

O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.

BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.

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