Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of sales people that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of sales people:
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Manager, Sales Person is the highest-paid type of sales person with an average salary of $66,294 and an average hourly rate of $31.87.
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The second highest-paying type of sales person is sales representative, with an average salary of $56,591.
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The average sales person salary is $42,010 per year, and the average hourly pay is $20.20.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a sales person, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of sales people are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of sales people:
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Manager, Sales Person
Average Salary: $66,294
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Sales Representative
Average Salary: $56,591
Sales representatives primarily sell the company’s products and services to businesses or organizations. They should be adept at closing out sales, negotiating, and providing customer service. They should be knowledgeable about the products or services of the manufacturer or producer they represent. They must also have strong analytical skills that would help them in coming up with cost-benefit analysis in assessing the current roster of clients and even prospective ones. Sales representatives should also be able to maintain good working relationships with all involved stakeholders, especially clients.
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Sales And Service Associate
Average Salary: $55,256
A sales and service associate is responsible for selling goods and services for the customers and help them with their purchasing needs. Sales and service associates respond to the customers’ inquiries and concerns, recommend products according to the customers’ specifications, and ensure that the stocks are adequately filled. They also help management in identifying business opportunities from the current industry trends that would generate more revenue resources and increase the company’s sales and profits.
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Adviser Sales
Average Salary: $53,659
Adviser sales are responsible for reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence to promote and sell products or services. With a sales target to reach, they must secure sales by prioritizing customer satisfaction. There are also instances when they have to perform follow-up calls, conduct surveys or polls, process payments or refunds, and even handle complaints, issues, and concerns. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with the team and adhere to company policies and regulations.
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Sales Specialist
Average Salary: $53,004
A sales specialist is responsible for offering the best goods and services to customers in order to boost the company’s sales. Sales specialists also promote strategies and solutions to contribute to the company’s growth and profitability. A sales specialist must have extensive knowledge of the current market trends and the best sales skills to perform marketing tasks. Sales specialists should have excellent communication and customer service skills to assist existing and potential clients with their inquiries and concerns.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various sales person that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Sales People
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manager, Sales Person | |
| 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 uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for sales people.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Sales Person Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid sales person job?
The highest-paid sales person job is a manager, sales person. Managers, Sales Person earn an average salary of $66,294, which is $ 31.87 hourly.
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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. The average sales person salary is $42,010, so those making at least $42,010 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average sales person salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a sales person, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $42,010 average, as this includes all sales people of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Sales Person jobs pay well?
No, sales person jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some sales person jobs pay better than others, but the average sales person salary of $42,010 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many sales person jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of sales people earning $0 a year on average.
Sales People’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a sales person. Do your research on the going rate for a sales person in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do sales people get paid the most?
Sales People get paid the most in Connecticut. In Connecticut, sales people earn an average annual salary of $68,760 and an average hourly wage of $33.06.
Following CT, the states with the highest-paid sales people are California, New Jersey, and New York, with average annual salaries of $71,243, $62,714, and $70,328 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid sales person 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.
