Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Sales managers (SOC 11-2022) employed 637,080 people in May 2025. The median pay is $148,270 a year ($71.28 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,170 and the highest-paid 10% more than $290,540. BLS projects its employment to change by +4.5% between 2025 and 2035 (about 47,300 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: New York ($217,640), Massachusetts ($191,200), Virginia ($191,130). Most jobs: California (112,440), Texas (76,010), Florida (46,480).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,170 | $35.18 |
| 25th percentile | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Median | $148,270 | $71.28 |
| Mean | $164,350 | $79.01 |
| 75th percentile | $207,340 | $99.68 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $290,540 | $139.68 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 650,100 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 679,100 |
| Change in jobs | 29,000 |
| Percent change | +4.5% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 47,300 |
| Self-employed share | 0.8% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | Less than 5 years |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,670 | 0.54 | $124,040 | $66,050 | $218,270 | -16% | 10% |
| Alaska | 850 | 0.64 | $98,860 | $70,370 | $171,700 | -33% | 18% |
| Arizona | 13,870 | 1.04 | $145,690 | $74,510 | $255,220 | -2% | 14% |
| Arkansas | 3,710 | 0.69 | $108,330 | $53,860 | $245,640 | -27% | 11% |
| California | 112,440 | 1.51 | $134,910 | $64,430 | $300,580 | -9% | 19% |
| Colorado | 8,780 | 0.75 | $180,850 | $105,270 | $316,830 | +22% | 12% |
| Connecticut | 8,560 | 1.23 | $162,110 | $92,530 | $281,490 | +9% | 11% |
| District of Columbia | 1,930 | 0.67 | $141,800 | $83,560 | $270,340 | -4% | 16% |
| Florida | 46,480 | 1.14 | $131,900 | $71,650 | $263,160 | -11% | 16% |
| Georgia | 17,690 | 0.88 | $159,890 | $79,560 | $292,490 | +8% | 11% |
| Hawaii | 1,710 | 0.67 | $116,340 | $71,290 | $218,870 | -22% | 20% |
| Idaho | 2,490 | 0.71 | $135,350 | $70,730 | $224,890 | -9% | 12% |
| Illinois | 32,240 | 1.29 | $155,280 | $78,760 | $282,890 | +5% | 10% |
| Indiana | 9,700 | 0.74 | $131,470 | $69,570 | $231,350 | -11% | 10% |
| Iowa | 3,260 | 0.51 | $134,010 | $72,130 | $220,770 | -10% | 9% |
| Kansas | 6,820 | 1.16 | $159,990 | $91,530 | $249,990 | +8% | 8% |
| Kentucky | 6,650 | 0.81 | $128,650 | $67,690 | $236,990 | -13% | 9% |
| Louisiana | 4,360 | 0.55 | $110,700 | $61,040 | $217,600 | -25% | 12% |
| Massachusetts | 15,010 | 1.01 | $191,200 | $100,510 | $321,000 | +29% | 12% |
| Michigan | 17,950 | 1.00 | $136,870 | $69,790 | $230,070 | -8% | 10% |
| Minnesota | 11,240 | 0.93 | $151,670 | $79,900 | $258,460 | +2% | 10% |
| Mississippi | 1,870 | 0.39 | $108,750 | $58,350 | $217,460 | -27% | 11% |
| Missouri | 7,630 | 0.63 | $115,370 | $60,920 | $223,340 | -22% | 11% |
| Montana | 1,200 | 0.57 | $117,390 | $81,030 | $205,760 | -21% | 12% |
| Nebraska | 3,000 | 0.72 | $126,990 | $72,410 | $227,870 | -14% | 10% |
| Nevada | 5,770 | 0.91 | $109,790 | $66,320 | $221,030 | -26% | 19% |
| New Hampshire | 2,820 | 1.01 | $141,900 | $88,550 | $265,620 | -4% | 13% |
| New Jersey | 20,090 | 1.14 | $173,020 | $103,580 | $308,630 | +17% | 12% |
| New Mexico | 1,750 | 0.49 | $114,080 | $65,190 | $204,790 | -23% | 12% |
| New York | 38,510 | 0.97 | $217,640 | $107,670 | $378,910 | +47% | 9% |
| North Carolina | 16,920 | 0.84 | $150,470 | $69,350 | $297,760 | +1% | 11% |
| North Dakota | 550 | 0.31 | $119,990 | $79,610 | $197,290 | -19% | 10% |
| Ohio | 22,840 | 1.00 | $135,510 | $74,190 | $251,110 | -9% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 3,250 | 0.46 | $128,920 | $63,070 | $275,440 | -13% | 10% |
| Oregon | 5,260 | 0.65 | $155,810 | $86,490 | $274,490 | +5% | 12% |
| Pennsylvania | 20,460 | 0.82 | $130,610 | $71,500 | $239,470 | -12% | 12% |
| Rhode Island | 1,120 | 0.54 | $154,970 | $90,910 | $258,950 | +5% | 11% |
| South Carolina | 9,340 | 0.99 | $131,080 | $62,060 | $223,760 | -12% | 12% |
| South Dakota | 450 | 0.24 | $136,360 | $72,510 | $219,050 | -8% | 9% |
| Tennessee | 12,270 | 0.91 | $128,040 | $67,220 | $231,830 | -14% | 12% |
| Texas | 76,010 | 1.32 | $136,020 | $68,750 | $268,450 | -8% | 13% |
| Utah | 8,990 | 1.26 | $136,520 | $72,800 | $253,390 | -8% | 14% |
| Vermont | 930 | 0.74 | $138,650 | $87,170 | $261,730 | -6% | 11% |
| Virginia | 9,670 | 0.57 | $191,130 | $94,710 | $302,900 | +29% | 10% |
| Washington | 10,030 | 0.69 | $174,000 | $104,000 | $291,620 | +17% | 13% |
| West Virginia | 1,110 | 0.39 | $94,830 | $57,150 | $188,170 | -36% | 11% |
| Wisconsin | 10,480 | 0.87 | $134,870 | $76,330 | $222,110 | -9% | 10% |
| Wyoming | 300 | 0.26 | $129,840 | $67,260 | $209,490 | -12% | 9% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 44,870 | $215,150 | $109,210 | $368,210 | 1.15 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 11,540 | $206,610 | $106,220 | $323,670 | 1.04 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 8,940 | $201,780 | $84,330 | $345,980 | 1.92 |
| Boulder, CO | 740 | $200,970 | $123,240 | $329,830 | 0.94 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 400 | $198,550 | $100,200 | $294,700 | 0.57 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 1,150 | $190,370 | $82,880 | $337,780 | 0.81 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 6,620 | $184,320 | $109,490 | $304,640 | 0.77 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 5,930 | $181,580 | $109,250 | $320,960 | 0.90 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 850 | $178,360 | $100,300 | $300,560 | 0.86 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 600 | $177,780 | $99,130 | $299,990 | 0.46 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 8,780 | $175,820 | $83,560 | $306,700 | 0.68 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 17,770 | $170,810 | $78,120 | $336,650 | 1.83 |
| Syracuse, NY | 640 | $170,090 | $89,940 | $291,490 | 0.52 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 2,250 | $169,300 | $96,200 | $305,740 | 1.36 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,320 | $168,590 | $90,440 | $296,170 | 0.49 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 12,080 | $166,920 | $86,540 | $302,460 | 1.02 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 470 | $165,980 | $82,700 | $296,350 | 0.43 |
| Rochester, NY | 1,220 | $165,140 | $84,690 | $299,840 | 0.60 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 3,280 | $163,520 | $75,610 | $303,060 | 1.08 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 940 | $163,510 | $81,380 | $307,590 | 0.51 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 1,200 | $163,090 | $86,310 | $291,220 | 0.55 |
| Worcester, MA | 950 | $162,810 | $72,550 | $314,900 | 0.66 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,910 | $162,640 | $94,000 | $282,690 | 0.79 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 5,930 | $162,000 | $76,540 | $311,420 | 1.06 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 3,020 | $161,410 | $93,580 | $285,240 | 1.23 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 680 | $161,410 | $79,360 | $283,740 | 0.84 |
| New Haven, CT | 1,090 | $160,590 | $85,990 | $269,310 | 0.94 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 1,270 | $158,750 | $78,410 | $285,200 | 0.41 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 25,390 | $158,690 | $80,060 | $288,430 | 1.37 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | 740 | $158,500 | $84,020 | $286,050 | 1.13 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 8,410 | $158,100 | $81,220 | $272,360 | 1.05 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 10,200 | $156,500 | $81,680 | $281,160 | 0.86 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 8,760 | $155,560 | $79,250 | $251,160 | 1.12 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 530 | $155,300 | $98,760 | $246,740 | 0.50 |
| Topeka, KS | 380 | $154,970 | $90,490 | $276,080 | 0.79 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 9,880 | $151,760 | $74,990 | $290,670 | 1.86 |
| Springfield, MA | 480 | $149,990 | $72,720 | $265,700 | 0.58 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 1,770 | $148,880 | $80,860 | $258,950 | 0.61 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 650 | $148,630 | $74,520 | $239,230 | 0.73 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 11,210 | $148,320 | $76,480 | $263,490 | 1.15 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 1,140 | $147,270 | $65,200 | $292,250 | 1.01 |
| Savannah, GA | 460 | $147,020 | $74,630 | $285,040 | 0.57 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | 380 | $146,690 | $82,830 | $242,270 | 0.73 |
| Madison, WI | 1,660 | $146,380 | $78,740 | $247,270 | 0.99 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 3,240 | $144,560 | $78,960 | $229,400 | 0.96 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 26,780 | $144,290 | $75,750 | $280,990 | 1.61 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 330 | $144,220 | $78,790 | $262,810 | 0.48 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 5,210 | $143,930 | $73,930 | $261,050 | 1.54 |
| Cleveland, OH | 4,560 | $143,870 | $75,210 | $256,210 | 1.08 |
| Boise City, ID | 1,270 | $141,440 | $73,950 | $230,050 | 0.79 |
| Tulsa, OK | 1,050 | $140,040 | $71,300 | $298,520 | 0.56 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,660 | $139,830 | $69,590 | $230,400 | 1.03 |
| Midland, TX | 590 | $139,380 | $74,710 | $249,010 | 1.19 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,100 | $138,880 | $66,630 | $234,600 | 0.69 |
| Appleton, WI | 420 | $138,850 | $77,350 | $238,530 | 0.83 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 5,180 | $138,790 | $77,210 | $267,180 | 1.15 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 500 | $138,690 | $66,730 | $256,160 | 0.53 |
| Columbus, OH | 4,460 | $138,580 | $77,750 | $254,150 | 0.98 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 2,710 | $137,880 | $71,090 | $260,050 | 0.96 |
| Napa, CA | 520 | $137,770 | $71,170 | $291,270 | 1.63 |
The median is $148,270 a year ($71.28 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $73,170 and the highest-paid tenth over $290,540 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
637,080 in May 2025, and BLS projects +4.5% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
New York, with a median of $217,640 (among states with published figures).