Highest-Paying Sales Manager Jobs in 2026
Research Summary. The Zippia data team has analyzed a mix of public government statistics and current job postings to derive average salary estimates for various sales manager roles across the United States. This report highlights the highest-paying sales manager jobs based on these average annual salaries.
Here’s a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of sales managers:
-
Senior Sales Manager ranks as the highest-paid sales manager, earning an average salary of $140,662, which translates to an average hourly rate of $67.63.
-
The second highest-paying role is the Technical Sales Manager, with an average salary of $129,770.
-
The overall average salary for sales managers is $73,952 annually, equating to an average hourly pay of $35.55.
Table Of Contents: Background | Salary Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while compensation shouldn’t be the only consideration, it is a significant factor. For aspiring sales managers, understanding the highest-paid roles can aid in career planning and progression.
Top Salaries for Sales Managers
-
Senior Sales Manager
Average Salary: $140,662
Senior Sales Managers lead sales operations, overseeing junior sales teams. Their role involves maximizing sales team potential, developing sales strategies, and presenting these plans to senior management. Essential skills include leadership, organization, communication, and talent recruitment.
-
Technical Sales Manager
Average Salary: $129,770
This role involves overseeing sales techniques and performance related to technical services. Technical Sales Managers engage with clients to negotiate offers and identify business opportunities based on technology trends, thus driving revenue growth.
-
General Sales Manager
Average Salary: $118,744
General Sales Managers oversee daily operations, analyzing marketing strategies to enhance sales performance. They develop strategic plans, adjust sales quotas, and handle customer inquiries and complaints, emphasizing effective communication and leadership.
-
Business Development Sales Manager
Average Salary: $111,309
These managers secure sales by reaching out to clients, conducting research to identify leads, and creating proposals. They also ensure customer satisfaction and foster positive relationships to enhance the company’s client base.
-
Product Manager/Sales
Average Salary: $108,492
Sales Product Managers focus on the sales performance of specific products, collaborating with marketing to enhance brand visibility and conducting analyses to uncover new revenue opportunities.
Below is a complete table of the average pay for various sales manager roles, showcasing the highest earners followed by a detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types of Sales Managers
Methodology
The Zippia team utilizes publicly available data from government entities like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for salary estimates.
Furthermore, our data science team examines job postings and company resources for the most current salary information available for sales managers.
Once the data is collected, a weighted average is computed for each job title to estimate salaries. For further insights into our methodology, you can read the detailed methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sales Manager Salaries
-
What is the highest-paid sales manager job?
The highest-paid sales manager job is the Senior Sales Manager. Senior Sales Managers earn an average salary of $140,662, which converts to $67.63 hourly.
These managers lead sales operations and supervise junior sales management teams, focusing on maximizing the sales team’s potential and developing strategic sales plans.
-
What is a good salary for a sales manager?
A good salary for a sales manager is $73,952 or higher. This average salary indicates that those earning at least this amount are above the average pay level.
Keep in mind, however, that salaries can fluctuate based on location and experience. Research your area’s average salary to get a clearer perspective on your compensation.
-
Do Sales Manager jobs pay well?
Yes, sales manager jobs generally pay well. The average salary of $73,952 significantly exceeds the average national salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Moreover, many sales manager positions offer high earning potential, especially for top performers.
-
Where do sales managers earn the highest salaries?
Sales Managers earn the most in New York. In New York, the average annual salary for sales managers is $96,680, with an hourly wage of $46.48.
Following New York, the states with the highest salaries for sales managers include New Jersey, Connecticut, and Delaware, with average annual salaries of $98,582, $86,960, and $91,726, respectively.
The cities offering the highest salaries for sales managers are:
-
Jersey City, NJ – $99,088
-
New York, NY – $97,607
-
Washington, DC – $86,003
-
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
