Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

Interests

Enterprising
Conventional

Learn More about Interests

Work Values

Independence
Working Conditions
Achievement

Learn More about Work Values

Work Styles

Initiative
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Dependability
Leadership

Learn More about Work Styles

Tasks

Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate, or other subjects of sale.
Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
Determine price schedules and discount rates.

Work Activities

Selling or Influencing Others
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Thinking Creatively
Coaching and Developing Others

Detailed Work Activities

Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Technology Skills

Customer relationship management CRM software
Data base user interface and query software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Development environment software
Business intelligence and data analysis software

Skills

Persuasion
Active Listening
Speaking
Coordination
Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Sales and Marketing
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Administration and Management
Education and Training

Most Common Education Level

The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.

Certificates

These are the certification(s) applicable to Sales Managers:

Certificate name

Certified Project Risk Manager

Certifying Organization

Institute of Certified E-Commerce Consultants

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Master Quality Manager

Certifying Organization

Institute of Certified E-Commerce Consultants

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Certified Product Marketing Manager

Certifying Organization

Association of International Product Marketing and Management

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Certified Innovation Leader

Certifying Organization

Association of International Product Marketing and Management

Type

Advanced

Certificate name

Certified Sales Counselor

Certifying Organization

National Wood Flooring Association

Type

Core

Certificate name	Certifying Organization	Type
Certified Project Risk Manager	Institute of Certified E-Commerce Consultants	Advanced
Master Quality Manager	Institute of Certified E-Commerce Consultants	Advanced
Certified Product Marketing Manager	Association of International Product Marketing and Management	Advanced
Certified Innovation Leader	Association of International Product Marketing and Management	Advanced
Certified Sales Counselor	National Wood Flooring Association	Core

Income Percentile

The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.

Income Percentile	Income
Low (10%)	$NaN
Median (50%)	$NaN
High (90%)	$NaN

Income by Experience

This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–7 years), to senior level (8+ years).

Experience	Income
Entry Level	$50,000
Mid Level	$100,000
Senior Level	$150,000

Employability

There are currently 584,800 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 619,100 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 6%.

The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.

Projected Job Growth of 6%

General and Operations Managers

Median Annual Income

$101,280

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Management & Entrepreneurship

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

EnterprisingConventional

Advertising and Promotions Managers

Median Annual Income

$131,870

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

EnterprisingConventionalArtistic

Marketing Managers

Median Annual Income

$157,620

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

EnterprisingConventional

Purchasing Managers

Median Annual Income

$136,380

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

EnterprisingConventional

Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

Median Annual Income

$71,950

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

EnterprisingConventionalRealistic

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

Median Annual Income

$74,680

Projected Job Growth

+8 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

EnterprisingConventionalInvestigative

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers

Median Annual Income

$46,730

Projected Job Growth

-6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Median Annual Income

$84,570

Projected Job Growth

+1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

Advertising Sales Agents

Median Annual Income

$61,270

Projected Job Growth

-7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

EnterprisingConventionalArtistic

Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel

Median Annual Income

$64,600

Projected Job Growth

+4 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

EnterprisingConventionalSocial

The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).