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Job outlook for channel managers in the United States
Are channel manager jobs in demand?
Channel manager job and salary trends over time
Channel manager jobs over time
Channel manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,683 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,349 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,403 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,252 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,183 | 0.00% |
Average channel manager salary over time
Channel manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $87,573 | $42.10 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $83,832 | $40.30 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $82,230 | $39.53 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $80,139 | $38.53 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $78,086 | $37.54 | +3.6% |
Channel manager jobs by state
Most common states for channel managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 366 | 53% |
| 2 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 772 | 19% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,259 | 18% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 104 | 17% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 501 | 16% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 155 | 16% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 839 | 15% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 197 | 15% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 163 | 15% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,806 | 14% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,184 | 14% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 777 | 14% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 974 | 13% |
| 14 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 472 | 13% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 96 | 13% |
| 16 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,590 | 12% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,208 | 12% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,098 | 12% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 727 | 12% |
| 20 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 235 | 12% |
Most common cities for channel managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colton | 1 | 2% | $102,669 |
| 2 | Cupertino | 1 | 2% | $118,995 |
| 3 | Carlsbad | 1 | 1% | $98,299 |
| 4 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $70,722 |
| 5 | Framingham | 1 | 1% | $86,919 |
| 6 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $89,588 |
| 7 | Naperville | 1 | 1% | $80,822 |
| 8 | San Ramon | 1 | 1% | $118,939 |
| 9 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $81,102 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $77,720 |
| 11 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $104,313 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $86,347 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $86,697 |
| 14 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $83,416 |
| 15 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $96,934 |
| 16 | Las Vegas | 1 | 0% | $99,052 |
| 17 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $118,075 |
Channel Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of channel manager experts
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University
University of Maryland
Baylor University
The University of West Florida
Christopher Newport University
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Penn State Behrend
Indiana University Southeast
William Paterson University
Minnesota State University Moorhead
University of Minnesota
Buffalo State College
Missouri State University
Longwood University
Montana State University
Upper Iowa University
Fordham University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Western Oregon University
Ken Corbit Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in MarketingTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What general advice would you give to a Channel Manager?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: Strategic
Company Selection:
Focus on joining companies with robust sales training programs, emphasizing consultative selling. Look for organizations that invest in your development, providing live calling experiences, quota-driven sales processes, and exposure to tools like Salesforce.
Tech
Proficiency and Sales Tools Mastery:
Familiarize yourself with cutting-edge sales technologies, including CRM tools like Salesforce. Your proficiency in these tools will not only streamline your sales processes but also position you as a tech-savvy professional in the competitive sales landscape.
Hands-On
Experience:
Actively engage in live calling, take ownership of sales funnels, and work with senior hiring authorities during your training. This hands-on experience will not only build your confidence but also prepare you for the challenges of consultative selling.
Research
and Decision-Making Skills:
Develop strong research skills to evaluate companies based on fit, growth opportunities, compensation structures, and overall potential. This informed decision-making approach will set you apart and empower you to navigate the sales landscape strategically.
Mentorship
and Networking:
Seek mentorship both within and outside your organization. Building relationships with mentors who invest in your sales skills and knowledge will provide valuable insights. Additionally, actively participate in online forums to connect with practical sales
knowledge and best practices.
What Channel Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ken Corbit Ph.D.: AI-Integrated Consultative Selling: Recognize the evolving role of AI in sales. Embrace AI tools that enhance your pre-call preparation, role-playing, agenda setting, and call talk track development. Stay ahead by incorporating AI into your sales strategies to deliver personalized and efficient client engagements.
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Marketing at the TCU Neeley School of BusinessTexas Christian University
Specialized Sales, Merchandising And Marketing Operations
What skills will help Channel Managers earn the most?
Dr. Brandon Chicotsky: Research about the client and strategic questions (with active listening) to understand a client's needs and opportunities will help a sales professional determine if there is value alignment, which leads to more efficient and remunerative outcomes.
Roland Rust Ph.D.
Distinguished University Professor, David Bruce Smith Chair in Marketing, Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Service, Ph.D., Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill MarketingUniversity of Maryland
Robert H. Smith School of Business
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Roland Rust Ph.D.: One might think that a stellar sales record would be most important, but that would be most relevant only if the individual has prior sales manager experience. If promoting a salesperson to sales manager, the thing that may be missing is administrative and managerial skills. In addition, we are in a technological revolution, driven by AI, which means that prior knowledge and experience with AI-related analysis would also definitely stand out (although probably hard to find).
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.
Executive Director, Center for Professional Selling, Frank and Floy Smith Holloway Endowed Professorship in Marketing, President, University Sales Center Alliance 2019-2021Baylor University
Hankamer School of Business
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: Like salespeople, sales managers must focus their resumes on tangible, objective performance results that are achieved by their teams.
Growth in revenue or quota attainment for the overall team are examples of the types of objective performance results that matter.
High-performing sales managers also highlight long-term performance indicators, which includes both long-term revenue growth by the unit
AND investment metrics that signal the sales manager is building company results for the long run. For example, a high-performance sales manager focuses on building and maintaining a high-performing unit. Such a manager looks to move low performers to other roles where they can be successful.
Another investment metric that a sales manager can signal is the percent of their unit promoted to managerial roles in the organization.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Channel Managers?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: One of the growing technical skill requirements for sales managers is in the area of data analytics. Our performance and customer systems provide a myriad of data, and the role of the sales manager is to be a sense-maker of that mound of data. What are the implications for changes in strategy or behavior evident in last quarter's activity? How can the sales manager help a specific seller "see" where the data suggest new approaches?
What skills will help Channel Managers earn the most?
Andrea Dixon Ph.D.: People who can recognize patterns (in data, in people), build connections with and across others, create a focus on high-performance behaviors, and lead with a confident humility are those who will win today and in the future business environment.
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.
Professor of AccountingThe University of West Florida
Department of Accounting and Finance
What soft skills should all Channel Managers possess?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Similar to the answer above, oral and written communication skills have been important for a number of years, but in our current environment, these skills have become much more important. Our ability to pick up on the context surrounding email messages is reduced since we have fewer in-person interactions, and even our virtual meetings eliminate much of the body language that we use--both consciously and unconsciously--to interpret what other people mean by what they say. Thus, candidates will stand out when they can clearly articulate their thoughts in both written form, via email or chat, and in oral form, via the ubiquitous "Brady Bunch" layout on their coworkers' computer screens.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Channel Managers?
Eric Bostwick Ph.D.: Although the use of office productivity software has been important for a number of years, the importance of fluency with these types of programs has been heightened by our increased virtual interactions. In addition, the use of online collaboration tools has grown and will continue to grow. Thus, candidates will stand out when they demonstrate knowledge/skill (e.g., certification) with respect to basic collaborative productivity tools as well as specific technology commonly used in their career fields.
Todd Lee Goen
Instructor & Internship DirectorChristopher Newport University
Department of Communication
What's a good job out of college for Channel Managers?
Todd Lee Goen: Pandemic or no pandemic, the best job out of college is one that sets you on the path to achieve your ultimate career goal(s). Reflect on where you want to be in five or ten years or even twenty-five years. Then consider positions that will set you on the path to achieve that goal. Very few people land their dream job upon graduation - dream jobs are typically those we're not qualified to do without some additional work experience and training. A good job is one that will help you achieve your goal(s) - just don't frame it that way in the interview.
Good jobs pay a livable salary for the location, offer benefits (health insurance and retirement at minimum), and provide professional development opportunities (these can take a variety of forms). Too often, college grads overlook professional development. If an employer isn't willing to invest in you, there's no guarantee you will succeed in the job. Good employers understand they need qualified employees who continually develop their skills and abilities, and good employers will make sure employees have the resources they need to succeed.
What technical skills for a Channel Manager stand out to employers?
Todd Lee Goen: Technical skills are often industry and/or position specific. Applicants should highlight any technical skills related to the position advertisement and those that add value to the position/organization. Most importantly, requirements for technical skills change with time and technological advances. This means employers value workers capable of adapting to change and continually improving and acquiring new technical skills. Thus, it's usually more important to demonstrate you are capable of learning and developing technical skills than it is to have a specific skill set upon hire (although this is not true for some positions/industries).
That said, technical skills related to online presentations, virtual meetings, virtual networking, remote working and the like are hot commodities right now. While most organizations were in the process of adopting many of these technologies and ways of doing business pre-pandemic, the pandemic accelerated the process. Organizations are making it work, but they often don't know best practices or the most efficient means of working in the largely virtual, pandemic environment. Post-pandemic, many of the remote/virtual changes the pandemic brought will stay in some form. Technical skills that support this type of workplace will make applicants stand out to many employers because they need/want to do virtual/remote business better.
What Channel Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Celeste Spier Ph.D.: If a student opts to take a gap year, recommended skills to gain include the Naceweb sought by employers according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), which are critical thinking, communication, teamwork, digital technology, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, and global/intercultural fluency. Technical skills are especially powerful in catching the eye of a recruiter in today's job market. Many free resources like EdX and Coursera exist to boost technical skills at no cost. For students who are taking a gap year because they are uncertain of their future career goals, their gap year should focus on exploration and reflection to ensure they end the year with a better sense of direction and next steps.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Channel Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Owens Ph.D.: Historically, the greatest number of jobs in international business have been located in the major trade areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. However, the work from anywhere trend could open more opportunities for international business in areas outside traditional trade centers.
What Channel Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Uric Dufrene: First, I would not recommend a gap year. One of the skills that is critically important, regardless of the time period, is adaptability. Learning how to adapt to the circumstances around you is a skill that is valued in the workplace, regardless of the year. This is a key part of problem solving. Solving problems with the conditions and resources on hand will prepare you for a lifelong success in any field. As a graduate develops a reputation for problem solving, they emerge as a "go to" employee and will be seen by others as a leader, in their department or company.
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Giuliana Andreopoulos: I do not think that the pandemic has been and will be able to reverse the importance of certain skills on students` resumes. There is no doubt in my mind that communication, team working, problem solving, leadership, still come at the top of the list for business students. However, the pandemic has added new skills: ability to work remotely, manage crisis, and deal with data. We hope that Business Colleges and Schools will take into consideration these new developments when they plan new courses, programs, or certificates.
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorMinnesota State University Moorhead
Paseka School of Business
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Channel Manager job market given the pandemic?
Wooyang Kim Ph.D.: During this unprecedented context, the biggest trends in the marketing job market would be three parts - 1) Hyper-competition in the shrunk size of the job markets, 2) Emerging virtual (or remote) work environment at the home office, and 3) Salary and/or compensation reduction in the workplaces.
First, on average, the unemployment rate has been drastically increased while the job positions were (temporarily) eliminated in 2020 due primarily to the negative effect of the pandemic across industry sectors. Also, the pandemic situation has accelerated the job positions by replacing humans with AI (artificial intelligence) and machines (e.g., automation and/or touchless system), shrinking the total size of the job market. As a result, the given conditions inevitably entail hyper-competitions by creating a new structural environment in the job market for two or three years from now. This situational tendency would accelerate in the manufacturing and service industry sectors. Second, due to safety reasons by following the CDC regulation, many firms have changed the workplace from firms' office to home office, although several labor-intensive sectors had minimized this change (e.g., retailers and restaurants). This replacement of the workplace has increased the virtual or remote oriented work environment. Third, overall costs for maintaining businesses increase while declining profits - tight budget for business sustainability to survive in the current market. This circumstance tends to reduce overall marketing costs as well as the labor force-related costs (salaries, compensations, and benefits).
Nonetheless, the job positions in analyzing consumer behavior and psychology would be sustainable in the marketing-related job market, such as the job areas related to market and marketing analyses, online consumer analyses, and similar fields across the industry sectors.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Channel Manager job market given the pandemic?
Geoff Kaufmann: Working remotely and integration of personal and professional lives and in many cases increased productivity of those workers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Channel Manager job market given the pandemic?
Annemarie Franczyk: Workplaces will be shifting to remote formats as businesses discover how much money is to be saved by not having to pay rent, a mortgage, WiFi, utilities and other expenses of a brick-and-mortar location. Workers will need to continue to prove to bosses that they can work independently and be productive and responsive from their home offices. Today's students and tomorrow's workers will have had that experience in spades for more than a year as the majority of courses and many activities moved online. Therefore, they and will be poised to do quite well the new and evolving remote employment environment.
What general advice would you give to a Channel Manager?
Annemarie Franczyk: Never settle and never settle down. Both notions suggest dropping where you are and staying put and being hopelessly stuck. When you're hopelessly stuck, you're not learning, growing and advancing. Always look for the next opportunity to do something interesting. Take chances. If you do, you will have a lifetime of no regrets.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Channel Manager job market given the pandemic?
Jerri Lynn Kyle: There are three major lessons I think we have learned from the pandemic that will affect us moving forward in the job market. First, we learned how much we rely on technology. Second, we learned how capable technology is in allowing us to change our "business as usual" operation, adapt, and continue to move forward. Third, we learned in most cases, that working remotely does not result in lower workplace productivity. We have digitized every industry to some degree, and we are not going back!
What we have gained in innovative ways to reach our stakeholders will continue in some way. Now, how does that translate to the job market? Digital literacy. There will be an increased need for digital communication strategists in every industry. The need for people who can design, develop, and maintain platforms will grow, with an increased emphasis on analysis of performance and results. We are a data driven society, and digital communication provides the data needed for strategists to help organizations accomplish their goals.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Channel Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. David Lehr: Most job growth will continue to be in urban centers and the surrounding suburbs. Rural areas will continue to struggle (remote work notwithstanding).
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Dr. David Lehr: Information flow skills, particularly surrounding data analytics.
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: Skills that are immediately useful stand out on resumes. Right now, data analytics skills are in hot demand. A desirable job candidate should be able to import large data sets in various formats, clean data, manipulate data, interrogate data, and draw conclusions from the data. Additionally, the job candidate should be able to prepare informative and easy-to-follow data visualizations of the results. This skill set allows a job candidate to be immediately useful in an organization. It is the new way of analyzing and communicating.
Dr. Karla Gavin
Director of the Master of Sport Administration Program, Associate Professor of Sport Administration (2010)Upper Iowa University
School of Business and Professional Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Channel Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Karla Gavin: At this time, it appears that individuals will continue to be interviewed and hired virtually without meeting their employer face-to-face. To retain these new hires, employers need to have stellar orientation programs to be completed remotely and onboarding that engages them before Day 1 of employment. Constant communication is critical, especially in the hiring process.
Work is very likely to be conducted in a virtual format for many employees in at least the first six months of 2021. Candidates with experience working with multiple virtual communication platforms will stand out during this time frame.
Employers may require employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to face-to-face work with colleagues and clients. Depending on what happens as this vaccine is more widely administered, it could impact employee and new hire decisions to stay or to leave.
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Dr. Karla Gavin: College students who graduate and move into the workforce need to think of themselves as independent contractors. They need to articulate their abilities to be flexible and adaptable, and to communicate very clearly in written and verbal communication. Job candidates will benefit from viewing issues as challenges instead of problems and using out-of-the-box thinking to resolve those issues.
They need to share their ability to work with diverse groups of people in team settings. Their willingness to be lifelong learners is important and they should reflect their desire to attend professional development activities and to pursue advanced degrees or certifications. Examples of leadership positions and opportunities need to be indicated on the resume.
Each of the areas mentioned above requires related examples to be stated concisely to reiterate their accomplishments and future goals.
What type of skills will young Channel Managers need?
Peter Johnson DPS: There are three things that employers are looking for:
1. Demonstrated ability to solve problems
2. Ability to analyze and make decisions based on data
3. Communication skills with management, teams, and clients
What experience really stands out on Channel Manager resumes?
Peter Johnson DPS: For entry-level positions, resumes need to include the basic "table stakes" type of skills: career-related coursework, leadership experience, and technical competencies: PowerPoint, Excel, CRM, and something like Python, if analytics are required. To stand out and for mid-level positions: published articles or white paper; original research, for demonstrated expertise in a product or service category.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Channel Managers?
Brian Richardson: For recent graduates, the job search process has essentially been disrupted due to a level of uncertainty being experienced on an industry-by-industry basis. This doesn't mean jobs have disappeared, which is supported by the number of employers who still have hiring needs and will continue to do so. What this means is that applicants must be open-minded and adaptable, while being willing to really lean on their networking skills to connect in meaningful ways, and not just blindly applying for job openings. The question that should be asked goes beyond 'what jobs are available,' but 'what problems can be solved' with the skills-based competencies, practical experiences, and knowledge gained through a broad-based education, internships, and research opportunities. From there, they must be able to articulate that value on a resume and in conversation at every opportunity they have available to them.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Channel Manager job market given the pandemic?
Adry S. Clark Ph.D.: The major change we've seen, so far, in the job market is the move to remote working and job cuts in some significant sectors. This will probably mean that we will see remote working become more common in the years to come. Companies will enhance their capacity to hire remote workers, and workers may look for opportunities where they can work from home.
While the 25-34 age group has been hit the most, those with high-school degrees or less have taken the greatest hit.
Employers are going to prioritize skills, more than specific roles, in order to be more flexible. I would encourage people to develop critical skills that potentially open up multiple opportunities for their career development, rather than preparing for a specific next role. That may mean that English majors develop some skills that are technical, such as writing blogs or writing web content.
What skills stand out on Channel Manager resumes?
Adry S. Clark Ph.D.: The skills that stand out on resumes fall into two categories: 1) Skills required to do the job and 2) Skills almost all employers look for. The most important aspect of resumes is to make sure it reflects exactly what the employer needs. Study the job description, identify key skills, and have them reflected on your resume. Think about transferrable skills, not the specific roles you've had.
Most employers look for skills such as communication (written/oral), flexibility, proactivity, problem-solving, project management, and technical. Make sure to cultivate those skills in whatever role you have, and have examples that demonstrate those skills.