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Job outlook for sales associate/managers in the United States
Sales associate/manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected sales associate/manager job growth rate is 5% from 2018-2028.
About 23,800 new jobs for sales associate/managers are projected over the next decade.
Sales associate/manager salaries have increased 7% for sales associate/managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 207,854 sales associate/managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 318,977 active sales associate/manager job openings in the US.
The average sales associate/manager salary is $41,412.
Are sales associate/manager jobs in demand?
Sales associate/manager job and salary trends over time
Sales associate/manager jobs over time
Sales associate/manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 207,854 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 193,728 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 214,476 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 216,410 | 0.07% |
| 2017 | 219,342 | 0.07% |
Average sales associate/manager salary over time
Sales associate/manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,412 | $19.91 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $40,187 | $19.32 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $39,470 | $18.98 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $38,394 | $18.46 | --1.3% |
| 2022 | $38,882 | $18.69 | +1.9% |
Sales associate/manager jobs by state
Most common states for sales associate/managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 407 | 54% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 373 | 54% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 508 | 53% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 3,354 | 49% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 620 | 46% |
| 6 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,853 | 45% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 3,012 | 45% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 5,641 | 44% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 459 | 44% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 2,413 | 43% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 4,353 | 42% |
| 12 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 4,353 | 42% |
| 13 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 2,581 | 42% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 2,481 | 41% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 2,340 | 40% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,393 | 39% |
| 17 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 1,179 | 39% |
| 18 | Vermont | 623,657 | 246 | 39% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,823 | 38% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 514 | 38% |
Most common cities for sales associate/managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daytona Beach | 1 | 2% | $41,265 |
| 2 | Draper | 1 | 2% | $39,126 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $41,137 |
| 4 | Appleton | 1 | 1% | $40,858 |
| 5 | Bryan | 1 | 1% | $41,409 |
| 6 | Centennial | 1 | 1% | $44,430 |
| 7 | Champaign | 1 | 1% | $39,875 |
| 8 | Chattanooga | 1 | 1% | $41,866 |
| 9 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $40,666 |
| 10 | Davenport | 1 | 1% | $33,374 |
| 11 | Erie | 1 | 1% | $38,937 |
| 12 | Evansville | 1 | 1% | $39,413 |
| 13 | Austin | 3 | 0% | $41,465 |
| 14 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $39,886 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $44,574 |
| 16 | Corpus Christi | 1 | 0% | $41,431 |
| 17 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $39,236 |
| 18 | Fort Wayne | 1 | 0% | $39,353 |
Sales Associate/Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sales associate/manager experts
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Texas Christian University
San Francisco State University
Baylor University
Manhattan College
Sacred Heart University
Faulkner University
Centenary College of Louisiana
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Longwood University
Montana State University
Fordham University
National Retail Federation
MHI – Material Handling Industry
What will help Sales Associate/Managers increase their earning potential?
Jaunelle Celaire: 2. Leadership - the world needs more of these; the ability to lead, craft and grow. Digital literacy - this world is definitely turning digital and virtual is the new trend. Emotional intelligence - there is a vast number of personalities in our world today; individuals grow and it is our job to stay emotionally connected, so we can operate more effectively.
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 Sales Associate/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.
Bruce Heiman Ph.D.
Professor of International BusinessSan Francisco State University
Department of International Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sales Associate/Managers?
Bruce Heiman Ph.D.: -Analytical skills (ability to gather data, clean it, analyze it, write-up results and present on what the meaning of the analysis suggests for action (the last one is most important--"what does it really mean?"
-Some experience and skills with coding in any language (at the moment, Python or C++ are preferred, though Ruby on Rails is also good)
-Deep spreadsheet skills (pivot tables and macros, as examples).
-Relational database skills, including programming (e.g., MySQL)
-Data mining
-AI/Machine Learning experience
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 hard/technical skills are most important for Sales Associate/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 Sales Associate/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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Associate/Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. John Leylegian Ph.D.: Let me preface this by saying that I'm going to address these questions primarily from a mechanical engineering perspective. I believe that one big trend will be an increase in the energy efficiency of residential buildings. Once the pandemic ends, many will go back to the office, but not everyone will, and even those that do may only do so part time. Residential buildings will be occupied more than they were before. Buildings are the largest end users of energy, so an increase in residential building energy efficiency will have to accompany that shift in the workforce.
What technical skills for a Sales Associate/Manager stand out to employers?
Keith Hassell: Employers are increasingly looking for applied skillsets and additional certifications to set a candidate apart. Sacred Heart University has recently launched a remote work certification, which houses three modules - focusing on the remote worker, the remote team and the remote leader, providing the tools and resources to comfortably leverage and utilize virtual platforms at various organizations. Additional specialized training, certifications and more are great selling tools pending on the specific area of interest. Certifications are common in areas such as project management, sales, IT/network/software, Google application and more. The candidate needs to think, "What can I do that is beyond my coursework to show I am passionate about my field? How do I make myself stand out?" Certifications is an attainable way to do this.
In addition, soft skills continue to be equally important in today's job market. NACE (the National Association of Colleges and Employers) identified seven core competencies that employers seek from entry level candidates which include critical thinking/problem solving, oral/written communication, teamwork/collaboration, digital technology, leadership, professionalism/work ethic, career management and global/intercultural fluency.
Steve Wages Ph.D.
Director, Cloverdale Center for Youth and FamilyFaulkner University
Cloverdale Center for Youth & Family
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sales Associate/Manager job market given the pandemic?
Steve Wages Ph.D.: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the pre-pandemic projections for employment of mental health counselors, including pastoral counselors, for 2019-2020 were very strong with growth being much faster than the average for all occupations. A recent report by the Barna Research Group compared pre-pandemic levels of relational, mental, and emotional health to the results of surveys of relational health, stress, and anxiety associated with the coronavirus, political, and racial tensions.
As expected, relational, emotional, and mental health struggles have been greatly amplified which will only serve to increase the need or demand for the services provided by pastoral counselors. However, it has also been reported that urban churches are experiencing a 15-25% decline in giving with rural churches reporting even greater declines. Consequently, budgets are being streamlined for sustainability which will likely have a negative impact on the hiring of pastoral counselors, at least full-time, in this employment sector. Because the need for pastoral counseling is so great, graduates should think strategically about how they market their services.
For example, my church community cannot afford a full-time pastoral counselor, but is looking to contract with a group in private practice who are serving the needs of multiple congregations. Graduates may need to look at joining such a group of pastoral counselors who provide counseling services on a contract basis. Further, I believe the economic stimulus may create additional jobs in other employment sectors for pastoral counselors.
Dr. Barbara Davis
William J. Atkins DeanCentenary College of Louisiana
Frost School of Business
What experience really stands out on Sales Associate/Manager resumes?
Dr. Barbara Davis: Graduates participating in internships related to their areas of interest. Internships spanning more than one semester at the same firm stand out as well.
What skills stand out on Sales Associate/Manager resumes?
Dr. Timothy Edwards: Writing and research skills. Analytical and critical thinking skills. Technical skills such as web design, graphic design, audio and video production skills. Employers are interested in potential employees knowledge, intelligence and skills.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sales Associate/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 Sales Associate/Manager resumes?
Dr. David Lehr: Information flow skills, particularly surrounding data analytics.
What skills stand out on Sales Associate/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.
What type of skills will young Sales Associate/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
Bill Thorne
Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRFNational Retail Federation
What general advice would you give to a Sales Associate/Manager?
Bill Thorne: Retail is the largest private-sector employer in the country, directly employing 32 million people and supporting 52 million jobs overall - roughly one-quarter of the U.S. workforce. While COVID-19 has presented new and unexpected challenges, retailers have continued to showcase the industry's resilience and adaptability time and again. The safety and security of customers and employees remains our greatest priority. It is no doubt that the professional environment has changed this year, but retail continues to offer a plethora of career opportunities for graduates and seasoned veterans alike.
Michael Mikitka
Executive Vice PresidentMHI – Material Handling Industry
Knowledge Center and Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)
What type of skills will young Sales Associate/Managers need?
Michael Mikitka: Courses and internships are essential. While the required depth of knowledge may vary from one position to another, employers are generally looking for candidates with strong "people-related" skills, those who are willing to continue to learn, and those with the ability to be flexible and adapt.
By "people-related" skills, I mean the abilities associated with effective communication (listen and express ideas and direction) and the skills related to working independently and a team.
As for the interest to continually learn... from a technology, data, and equipment perspective, today's supply chain looks very different than it did 10-years ago. The willingness and ability to continually learn are essential for anyone in a leadership role.
As for flexibility and adapting...supply chain/logistics is as much about responding to disruption and demand as it is planning for it. There is a predictable demand (i.e., seasonal...everyone knows when back-to-school shopping begins). Then there is the unpredictable demand (i.e., power-outages, wildfires, pandemic) that impact market and the ability to operate. Candidates that express flexibility and problem-solving skills will be much sought-after.