Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for territory business managers in the United States
Are territory business manager jobs in demand?
Territory business manager job and salary trends over time
Territory business manager jobs over time
Territory business manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,707 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,468 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,515 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,426 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,397 | 0.00% |
Average territory business manager salary over time
Territory business manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,492 | $30.52 | +4.5% |
| 2024 | $60,780 | $29.22 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $59,619 | $28.66 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $58,102 | $27.93 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | $56,614 | $27.22 | +3.6% |
Territory business manager jobs by state
Most common states for territory business managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 474 | 68% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,821 | 33% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 537 | 28% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 291 | 28% |
| 5 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 242 | 28% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,766 | 26% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 716 | 25% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 187 | 25% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 944 | 23% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 735 | 23% |
| 11 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,324 | 22% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,298 | 22% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 211 | 22% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 169 | 22% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 2,453 | 21% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,363 | 20% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,346 | 20% |
| 18 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 597 | 20% |
| 19 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 588 | 20% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 262 | 20% |
Most common cities for territory business managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 22 | 56% | $72,164 |
| 2 | Lansing | 19 | 16% | $53,434 |
| 3 | Frankfort | 4 | 14% | $60,145 |
| 4 | Juneau | 4 | 12% | $49,802 |
| 5 | Dover | 4 | 11% | $62,677 |
| 6 | Hartford | 4 | 3% | $66,673 |
| 7 | Springfield | 4 | 3% | $58,717 |
| 8 | Topeka | 4 | 3% | $55,110 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | 4 | 2% | $53,370 |
| 10 | Little Rock | 4 | 2% | $56,167 |
| 11 | Montgomery | 4 | 2% | $57,797 |
| 12 | Tallahassee | 4 | 2% | $63,575 |
| 13 | Sacramento | 6 | 1% | $68,549 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $52,241 |
| 15 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $63,540 |
| 16 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $59,556 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $72,730 |
| 18 | Indianapolis | 4 | 0% | $57,598 |
Territory Business Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of territory business manager experts
Texas Christian University
University of Maryland
Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny
University of West Georgia
Tiffin University
Baylor University
Christopher Newport University
Indiana University Southeast
Longwood University
Aquinas College
Montana State University
Michigan State University
Upper Iowa University
Fordham University
Western State College of Law
Western Oregon University
Morningside College
What Territory Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kim Roberts: Business professionals lead organizations by focused efforts that revolve around products/services, processes, and people. Business professionals work to ensure the firm's products and/or services meet customer expectations, with an eye toward an ever-changing market. They manage processes that produce or support the firm's products. This requires the ability to analyze data to make informed decisions, to drive continuous improvement, and to solve problems through critical thinking. Successful business professionals must also create climates that promote teamwork and foster collaboration.
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 Territory Business 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.
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 Territory Business 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).
Bernie Cerasaro
Assistant Teaching ProfessorPennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny
Business Department
What skills stand out on Territory Business Manager resumes?
Bernie Cerasaro: Skills employers would be looking for would be functional skills and interpersonal skills. Functional skills should stand out on a resume and be aligned to the business job in question. For example, if focused on marketing positions, marketing skills such as data analytics, market research, consumer behavior, global marketing, and professional selling skills would be areas for which employers would be looking. If the job market is looking for someone in accounting, then functional skills that would stand out would be intermediate financial accounting skills and courses on taxation and auditing. For those seeking positions in project management or supply chain management, skills that would stand out would encompass subject matter such as project management, portfolio management, operations planning and control, purchasing and materials management, and knowledge of ERP type systems and other business processes.
Skill sets can be enhanced via various types of certification. For example, those interested in accounting might pursue a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license, which requires 150 credits. As most universities require 120 credits for a bachelor's degree in business, a CPA would require just an additional 30 credits, which students can start accumulating while still at college. Project management certification is also an opportunity to enhance the aforementioned skills and would certainly stand out on an applicant's resume. The Project Management Institute (PMI) promotes PMP certification, which validates that you are highly skilled in soft skills to lead project teams and have the required technical aspects of managing projects. Some universities are working with the PMI to have PMI-approved courses. Approved courses are used toward the PMP training hours required to sit for the exam. For example, Penn State University has received approval for two such courses, Portfolio Management and Organizations and Project Planning and Resource Management.
Due to the high rate of interaction with the global marketplace and the complexity of international business, managers are looking more closely at applicants who have some familiarity with global markets and international culture, such as applicants who may have study abroad experience, traveled internationally, speak a foreign language or have lived or worked in another country.
What soft skills should all Territory Business Managers possess?
Bernie Cerasaro: Soft skills or conceptual skills are critical in today's business world. Lack of such interpersonal skills is a major reason highly qualified professionals are not promoted (Lee, n.d.)
As a former recruiter for Xerox Corporation, I looked for problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills. Problem-solving supports creativity allowing workers to evaluate and prioritize options to determine the best solution. Much time and money can be wasted in selecting the wrong option.
Proper decision-making allows companies to quickly react to internal problems, customer concerns, changing market trends, and the use of ever-advancing technology in the workplace. The increased use of empowerment in the workplace, which has been enhanced due to the pandemic, has allowed employees to make more decisions, which requires strong decision-making capability. In addition, the pandemic has caused many businesses to use alternate work structures such as working from home, leading to less direct supervision. Consequently, employers are looking for people who are self-motivated, self-directed, and who employ good time management skills.
Teamwork is one of the most commonly required skills in the work environment. The ability to work together is essential. Due to downsizing, there are fewer managers within companies. Since few individuals possess all the knowledge and skills needed, teamwork has become essential. Getting along and working together to achieve objectives and meet deliverables is critical to project completion. Managers are also looking to teams to provide a greater range of ideas and innovation. Teams can also motivate each other for the timely completion of tasks.
Conflict management enhances decision-making abilities and increases creativity which produces innovative solutions for ongoing problems. The ability to handle conflict productively helps solve problems resulting in demoralization, absenteeism, and turnover. Productive resolution of such problems leads to increased trust and increased employee involvement.
For those aspiring to management positions, leadership is key. Leaders need to promote the company's mission and vision among their subordinates. They need to influence employees to achieve goals by motivating them, resulting in a higher level of performance. This type of leadership is paramount in today's marketplace for company advancement, expansion, and survival.
Other important soft skills include verbal and written communication, persuasive skills, negotiation, and listening skills. Communication is vital to company performance. The ability of company personnel to communicate clearly, succinctly, and accurately will increase productivity. Good communication requires being observant of both verbal and nonverbal signals.
Persuasion and negotiation, two other soft skills, require good listening skills. In today's work environment, employees are no longer subject to a hierarchical structure, a structure of non-questioning of their manager's requests. This requires managers to be more persuasive. Negotiation is practiced by all of us on a day-to-day basis, and more so in business. Strong negotiation skills are essential internally (managers and employees) and externally (sales negotiations, contract negotiations, etc.).
We often forget the skill of listening, as most of us prefer to talk rather than listen. However, it is essential to understand what your company and customers want. This is not just "hearing" but actually practicing listening skills by asking questions, confirming content heard, and providing feedback. Listening requires effort; it requires concentration and attention to what is being said.
Thomas Gainey Ph.D.
Chair and ProfessorUniversity of West Georgia
Department of Management in the Richards College of Business
What hard/technical skills are most important for Territory Business Managers?
Thomas Gainey Ph.D.: With the recent pandemic and the growing reliance on technology to perform many jobs, individuals have been forced to quickly develop or strengthen their technical skills. And these technical skills are in high demand by employers. Individuals with knowledge and experience with enterprise systems, Microsoft Office applications, and popular programming languages will have a significant advantage.
Dr. Bonnie Tiell
Professor of Sport ManagementTiffin University
School of Business
What skills stand out on Territory Business Manager resumes?
Dr. Bonnie Tiell: Experience and proven record of accomplishments, achievements, and added value to an organization (e.g., demonstration of increasing market shares, sales quotas, membership acquisition, etc.).
What hard/technical skills are most important for Territory Business Managers?
Dr. Bonnie Tiell: Direct occupational knowledge: Negotiating and understanding contracts | agreements, staff management, informational technology, budget, and financial reporting.
What skills will help Territory Business Managers earn the most?
Dr. Bonnie Tiell: Skills helping managers earn the most are those that impact the bottom line - it depends on the organization's needs, but those that can produce or increase revenue will earn more --- sales!
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 will help Territory Business 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.
Todd Lee Goen
Instructor & Internship DirectorChristopher Newport University
Department of Communication
What technical skills for a Territory Business 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's a good job out of college for Territory Business 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 Territory Business 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.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Territory Business 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 Territory Business Manager resumes?
Dr. David Lehr: Information flow skills, particularly surrounding data analytics.
Kerri Orders
Assistant Professor of BusinessAquinas College
Business Administration Department
What Territory Business Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kerri Orders: In terms of a gap year, I recommend that international business students acquire tangible skills, relevant experience and/or certifications which will enhance their success in their desired area of interest. For example, a gap year could consist of gaining technical or digital training overseas, which would also further the students' cultural intelligence and language proficiency. These types of enriching gap year experiences will assist students to distinguish themselves in a highly competitive market. Furthermore, students should focus on broadening and maintaining their global network during a gap year in order to be ready for the job market once the gap year is concluded.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Territory Business Manager job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: There is still work that needs to be done. Those jobs that are necessary for the economy to continue and for the protection and service of the public will continue to need willing and able employees. The field I know most about is accounting. Publicly-traded companies are required to have audits of their financial statements. This is for the protection of all who use financial statements to make investing decisions. Think about your retirement savings plans, 401(k) plans, etc. So, every year there is a need to hire students who are ready to take the CPA exam and ready to become auditors. The same goes for students who are trained and ready to prepare income tax returns for corporations and individuals. Pandemic or no pandemic, we still need accountants. In fact, we now need accountants who are prepared to make certain that loans and grants related to pandemic relief have been used for their intended purposes and have been distributed appropriately.
What skills stand out on Territory Business 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.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Territory Business Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Angela Woodland Ph.D.: There are pockets of opportunity in most communities. The savvy student will meet and make connections with local businesses through internships, student clubs, guest lectures, and other college events. With a little effort, students can learn to speak the vernacular of local industries and tailor their resumes and skill sets accordingly.
Wyatt Schrock Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of MarketingMichigan State University
Broad College of Business
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Territory Business Managers?
Wyatt Schrock Ph.D.: For graduates entering careers in sales, I expect the coronavirus pandemic to have at least one enduring impact. That is, I think the pandemic has changed the way that people think about the nature of buyer-seller interactions. In particular, I think we now know that a lot of relationship-building, problem-solving, etc., can be accomplished remotely with video meeting applications. This development might, for example, ultimately lead to lower levels of business travel for salespeople.
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
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Territory Business Managers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Karla Gavin: The world of work is in great flux right now. Willingness to relocate and to learn the field from the bottom up is very important, wherever that might be. Too many students have unrealistic expectations for salary and job title upon graduation.
They also need to know themselves well enough to understand how their personal purpose and passion match that of their chosen field and of their specific employer.
What type of skills will young Territory Business 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 Territory Business Manager resumes?
Deirdre Kelly: Practical experience. There is no substitute for learning from actually working in the field under real conditions with real clients, opposing counsel, and judges under the pressure of deadlines and the need to have a successful outcome. Graduates and students need to remember that the depth and quality of an experience are far more impactful than sometimes what you perceive as a more prestigious opportunity on paper.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Territory Business Managers to find work opportunities?
Adry S. Clark Ph.D.: It all depends on what you want to do. An English major helps you develop some very broad skill sets - keep in mind most employers value good writing skills. Some work opportunities are highly localized. If your goals include working in the publishing industry, for instance, you might be better off being in New York, where most big book publishers are located. You might also find some smaller publishers all over the country. If technical writing is more to your liking, perhaps the Bay Area might offer more opportunities.
Heath Weber
Assoc Dean for Performing ArtsMorningside College
School of Visual and Performing Arts
What are the best companies to work for a Territory Business Manager?
Heath Weber: Morningside grads in MUED have been consistently placed in school districts all over the state. We have recent grads in High School, Middle School, and Elementary music positions in the Sioux City Community Schools, Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools, Ankeny Schools, and many many other school districts across the state and region. Students also are well prepared for graduate study, with many of our recent grads attending graduate study in voice performance, Music Education, and choral or instrumental conducting.