Research Summary. The Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for sales jobs in the U.S. by utilizing a blend of public government statistics, company data, and insights from thousands of job postings. This analysis highlights the highest-paid sales positions based on their average annual salaries.
Below is a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paying sales roles:
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Sales Manager tops the list as the highest-paid sales role, with an average salary of $66,294, translating to an hourly rate of $31.87.
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The second highest-paying role is the Sales Representative, earning an average salary of $56,591.
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The overall average salary for sales professionals is $42,010 annually, or $20.20 per hour.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be challenging. While salary shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision, it plays a crucial role. Understanding which sales positions offer the highest compensation can help you navigate your career trajectory effectively.
Here are the top salaries for various sales roles:
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Sales Manager
Average Salary: $66,294
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Sales Representative
Average Salary: $56,591
Sales representatives primarily engage with businesses or organizations to sell products and services. They must excel in closing sales, negotiating deals, and providing exceptional customer service. A strong grasp of the products or services they represent is essential, as are excellent analytical skills for assessing client needs and opportunities. They should also cultivate strong relationships with clients and stakeholders.
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Sales and Service Associate
Average Salary: $55,256
A sales and service associate assists customers in making purchasing decisions, responding to inquiries, and ensuring inventory is stocked. They also contribute to identifying new business opportunities based on industry trends to enhance revenue and profitability.
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Adviser Sales
Average Salary: $53,659
Adviser sales professionals reach out to clients via calls and correspondence to promote and sell products or services, focusing on customer satisfaction to meet sales targets. They also handle follow-ups, process payments, and address customer concerns while adhering to company policies.
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Sales Specialist
Average Salary: $53,004
A sales specialist provides tailored solutions to customers to enhance the company’s sales. They promote strategies for business growth and profitability, requiring a deep understanding of market trends and strong sales skills. Effective communication and customer service skills are vital for addressing client inquiries and concerns.
Below is a comprehensive table of average earnings across various sales roles, along with an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Sales Jobs
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sales Manager | |
| 2 | Sales Representative | |
| 3 | Sales and Service Associate | |
| 4 | Adviser Sales | |
| 5 | Sales Specialist | |
| 6 | Furniture Sales Associate | |
| 7 | Route Sales Person | |
| 8 | Sales Agent | |
| 9 | Sales Promoter | |
| 10 | Sales Expert | |
| 11 | Customer Sales Associate | |
| 12 | Commissioned Sales Associate | |
| 13 | Sales Internship | |
| 14 | Counter Sales Person | |
| 15 | Seasonal Sales Representative | |
| 16 | Parts Sales Person | |
| 17 | Sales Associate | |
| 18 | Store Sales Associate | |
| 19 | Sales Associate and Customer Service | |
| 20 | Sales Clerk |
Methodology
Zippia 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) to derive its salary estimates.
Our data science team also examines job postings and company reports for current salary insights for sales roles.
After data collection, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more details about our salary estimates, you can refer to our detailed methodology.
FAQs About High-Paying Sales Jobs
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What is the highest-paid sales job?
The highest-paid sales role is Sales Manager. Sales Managers earn an average salary of $66,294, which equates to $31.87 per hour.
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What is a good salary for a sales person?
A good salary for a sales person is $42,010 or more. This is the average sales salary, meaning those earning at least this amount are above average. However, salaries can vary by location due to cost of living adjustments. It’s advisable to research local salary averages for your experience level to gauge your compensation accurately.
For those just starting, it’s important to note that entry-level salaries can be significantly lower; the $42,010 average includes all experience levels.
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Do Sales jobs pay well?
Sales jobs can vary in pay. While some roles offer higher compensation than others, the average sales salary of $42,010 is slightly below the national average of around $44,225 per year.
Many sales positions have high earning potential, especially for top performers. Salary can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s crucial to research the market rate for your specific role and negotiate your salary accordingly.
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Where do sales professionals earn the most?
Sales professionals earn the highest in Connecticut. In Connecticut, the average annual salary for sales roles is $68,760, with an hourly wage of $33.06.
Following Connecticut, the states with the highest salaries for sales roles include California, New Jersey, and New York, with average salaries of $71,243, $62,714, and $70,328, respectively.
The cities with the highest sales salaries are:
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Oceanside, NY – $74,483
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San Jose, CA – $71,941
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Boston, MA – $57,793
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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.
