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Job outlook for sales secretaries in the United States
Sales secretary job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected sales secretary job growth rate is -8% from 2018-2028.
About -286,900 new jobs for sales secretaries are projected over the next decade.
Sales secretary salaries have increased 12% for sales secretaries in the last 5 years.
There are over 177,779 sales secretaries currently employed in the United States.
There are 11,568 active sales secretary job openings in the US.
The average sales secretary salary is $51,253.
Are sales secretary jobs in demand?
Sales secretary job and salary trends over time
Sales secretary jobs over time
Sales secretary job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 177,779 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 180,153 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 198,455 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 210,817 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 219,532 | 0.07% |
Average sales secretary salary over time
Sales secretary salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,253 | $24.64 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $49,723 | $23.91 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $48,325 | $23.23 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $46,953 | $22.57 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $45,937 | $22.09 | +2.7% |
Sales secretary jobs by state
Most common states for sales secretaries
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 85 | 6% |
| 2 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 390 | 4% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 321 | 3% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 208 | 3% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 185 | 3% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 163 | 3% |
| 7 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 157 | 3% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 98 | 3% |
| 9 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 46 | 3% |
| 10 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 32 | 3% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 30 | 3% |
| 12 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 23 | 3% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 22 | 3% |
| 14 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 472 | 2% |
| 15 | New York | 19,849,399 | 412 | 2% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 161 | 2% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 151 | 2% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 99 | 2% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 46 | 2% |
| 20 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 25 | 2% |
Most common cities for sales secretaries
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hot Springs | 1 | 3% | $43,500 |
| 2 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $47,087 |
Sales Secretary job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sales secretary experts
Ohio University
University of Mount Union
Franklin and Marshall College
California State University Channel Islands
University of North Carolina at Asheville
What skills will help Sales Secretaries earn the most?
Allison White: I'll put professionalism at the top of the list, and then specialized skills come second regarding salary. The medical secretary used to be the one to earn top dollar. Now that there are Medical Assisting programs and licenses, the student must seek the special skills in terminology and clinical service from that degree to earn top dollar in the medical field. Employers want office skills (filing, customer service, scheduling, etc.) and clinical skills (vitals, patient intake, registration, etc.). Still, I recommend that those who are inexperienced seek skills and licenses in the area of their personal interest (law office, government office, medical office, education, and more). I took courses in legal terminology and legal office procedures while completing my associate's degree. I also pursued a business analyst certification and the MOS certifications early on. Later, I continued my education by earning a bachelor's degree in a dual major (business administration and marketing).
What skills stand out on Sales Secretary resumes?
Allison White: Knowledge of spreadsheets software such as MS Excel is a commonly sought-after skill. Employers want word processing and spreadsheet skills but often say they want high school graduates and pay accordingly. These skills aren't always taught in high school. Those in the field should seek these skills. Additionally, medical and legal assistants have highly sought after. Terminology courses for these specialized areas are sometimes offered at the vocational schools but are usually offered at the post-secondary level.
What soft skills should all Sales Secretaries possess?
Allison White: Employers have told me repeatedly that soft skills are often the most important. They will ask for my reference after I've gotten to know a student and been able to identify their communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. They want someone to take the initiative yet know when to ask questions. Customer service skills and confidentiality were also voiced by our internship supervisors. Verbal and non-verbal communication is a must. The applicant must be able to write well!!
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sales Secretaries?
Allison White: In addition to production software skills, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, we often taught database skills using MS Access. Every employer has an employee database and a customer/client database that requires input and sometimes maintenance by office personnel. Keyboarding (65+ wpm), basic bookkeeping/accounting, and filing skills are a must.
Michael Grossman Ph.D.
Professor, Political Studies and International StudiesUniversity of Mount Union
Department of Political Science and International Studies
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sales Secretaries?
Michael Grossman Ph.D.: It is less about licenses or courses and more about experiences. In this regard, internships are crucial.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Sales Secretaries?
Cynthia Krom: Professional certifications matter. If your profession has a certification, you need to have that certification to be competitive in this new world. So, a public accountant needs to have a CPA, and a corporate accountant needs to have their CMA. A fraud examiner needs their CFE. Find out what is available in your profession and take whatever courses or exams are needed to be at the top of your game, because everyone else will.
We don't really know what will be happening with professional licenses with remote work. A psychotherapist may be licensed in New York, but remotely treating a client in New Mexico. Technically, they probably need a license in New Mexico. But who will control that? Will it just be the professional responsibility of the therapist to only practice where licensed? Will their malpractice insurance only cover them if the client is where they are licensed? What about a physician operating on someone a thousand miles away using robotics?
In terms of courses not related to professional certification or licensure, technology is where it is at. First and foremost, polish your Zoom skills. Zoom is now your face-to-face workplace and you need to be a pro. YouTube has great videos about lighting for Zoom, even with reflective eyeglasses. Perhaps your IT department is able to help with connectivity issues and learning remote technologies. And, as we have all recently seen, you need to learn how to turn off filters that make you look like a kitten! For nearly every field, you have to know Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) or similar programs. You need to know how to work collaboratively on projects through things like Google Drive. If you are not fluent in the basics, you are showing up for a horse race with a little pony.
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.
Associate Professor of MarketingCalifornia State University Channel Islands
Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics
What's a good job out of college for Sales Secretaries?
Ekin Pehlivan Ph.D.: I think a description of a "good" job opportunity is dependent on so many factors, almost all subjective. What I recommend my students usually, is that they try different things before graduation and find something that makes them feel a purpose other than (and in addition to) making ends meet. For this reason we started a program on our campus where students are hired to help non-profits and small businesses in our area of service. In this program, students get to gain and practice skills that can help them succeed in a corporate or freelance capacity. The students get to experiment without fear of losing a job and find what they would like their entry level positions to look like. While doing this they also help organizations and individuals who have the need but not the resources to get the services from professionals.
What soft skills should all Sales Secretaries possess?
Sonya DiPalma Ph.D.: Be personable and a person someone wants to talk with and work with on a continuing basis. Listening and note-taking skills will be critical. Great employees listen well and ask good follow up questions. Be versatile and adaptable. If you find some downtime between projects, ask how you may help with another project.