Sales managers
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Sales Managers: Direct 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.
Advertising, marketing, promotions, public relations, and sales managers held about 646,000 jobs in 2004. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty:
| Sales managers | 337,000 |
| Marketing managers | 188,000 |
| Advertising and promotions managers | 64,000 |
| Public relations managers | 58,000 |
These managers were found in virtually every industry. Sales managers held almost half of the jobs; most were employed in wholesale and retail trade, and finance and insurance industries. Marketing managers held more than fourth of the jobs; the professional, scientific, and technical services industries employed almost one-third of marketing managers. About one-fourth of advertising and promotions managers worked in the professional, scientific, and technical services industries, and the, information industries, including advertising and related services, and publishing industries. Most public relations managers were employed in service-providing industries, such as professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, health care and social assistance, and educational services.
Median annual earnings in May 2004 were $63,610 for advertising and promotions managers, $87,640 for marketing managers, $84,220 sales managers, and $70,000 for public relations managers.
Median annual earnings of advertising and promotions managers in May 2004 in the advertising and related services industry were $89,570.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of marketing managers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $107,030 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 98,700 |
| Insurance carriers | 86,810 |
| Architectural, engineering, and related services | 83,610 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 76,450 |
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of sales managers in May 2004 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $119,140 |
| Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers | 101,930 |
| Automobile dealers | 97,460 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 95,410 |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | 84,680 |
According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, starting salaries for marketing majors graduating in 2005 averaged $33,873; starting salaries for advertising majors averaged $31,340.
Salary levels vary substantially, depending upon the level of managerial responsibility, length of service, education, size of firm, location, and industry. For example, manufacturing firms usually pay these managers higher salaries than do nonmanufacturing firms. For sales managers, the size of their sales territory is another important determinant of salary. Many managers earn bonuses equal to 10 percent or more of their salaries.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations, and Sales Managers)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Sales managers | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting employment: 130 mean earnings: $90,820 (def) (IG) | $39,520 | $53,790 | $81,080 | $115,820 | >$145K |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry employment: 130 mean earnings: $91,130 | $40,090 | $54,130 | $81,400 | $115,990 | >$145K |
| Mining employment: 910 mean earnings: $86,190 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,710 | $54,750 | $79,660 | $110,030 | $142,490 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 120 mean earnings: $104,810 | $48,090 | $68,670 | $93,060 | $135,890 | >$145K |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) employment: 290 mean earnings: $86,710 | $40,910 | $59,010 | $81,640 | $107,440 | $140,960 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 510 mean earnings: $81,620 | $38,470 | $51,150 | $74,090 | $106,130 | $135,920 |
| Utilities employment: 560 mean earnings: $103,480 (EC) (def) (IG) | $57,130 | $75,610 | $96,530 | $125,300 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 560 mean earnings: $103,480 | $57,130 | $75,610 | $96,530 | $125,300 | >$145K |
| Construction employment: 3,560 mean earnings: $95,090 (EC) (def) (IG) | $44,160 | $61,000 | $85,150 | $120,020 | >$145K |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 1,970 mean earnings: $94,250 | $43,480 | $61,750 | $84,600 | $119,820 | >$145K |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 620 mean earnings: $95,260 | $38,760 | $55,520 | $85,690 | $126,760 | >$145K |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 970 mean earnings: $96,710 | $49,240 | $62,100 | $85,930 | $116,180 | >$145K |
| Manufacturing employment: 48,750 mean earnings: $100,950 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,210 | $66,660 | $91,910 | $126,440 | >$145K |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 3,290 mean earnings: $93,670 | $43,940 | $58,920 | $83,650 | $118,440 | >$145K |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 1,440 mean earnings: $91,160 | $44,410 | $56,360 | $79,200 | $113,190 | >$145K |
| Textile Mills employment: 470 mean earnings: $105,900 | $43,290 | $66,190 | $92,700 | $139,650 | >$145K |
| Textile Product Mills employment: 420 mean earnings: $87,950 | $43,460 | $54,300 | $79,900 | $108,640 | >$145K |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 730 mean earnings: $105,780 | $44,330 | $55,510 | $86,330 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 90 mean earnings: $90,250 | $41,400 | $52,870 | $79,170 | $115,390 | >$145K |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 1,250 mean earnings: $88,600 | $43,920 | $57,360 | $77,190 | $109,570 | >$145K |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 1,830 mean earnings: $105,440 | $52,070 | $72,120 | $98,970 | $131,350 | >$145K |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 2,010 mean earnings: $106,780 | $43,600 | $64,770 | $96,220 | $141,130 | >$145K |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing employment: 240 mean earnings: $105,860 | $48,510 | $68,930 | $101,770 | $134,730 | >$145K |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 3,630 mean earnings: $110,600 | $53,140 | $75,030 | $103,060 | $139,520 | >$145K |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 2,580 mean earnings: $97,240 | $47,770 | $65,390 | $91,100 | $119,030 | >$145K |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 1,620 mean earnings: $88,480 | $42,890 | $59,540 | $80,560 | $109,400 | >$145K |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 1,170 mean earnings: $96,110 | $50,310 | $66,570 | $89,370 | $117,040 | >$145K |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 5,140 mean earnings: $91,190 | $48,470 | $61,810 | $82,910 | $110,930 | >$145K |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 5,580 mean earnings: $97,220 | $52,590 | $68,180 | $89,250 | $116,790 | >$145K |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 7,130 mean earnings: $117,160 | $60,500 | $81,440 | $111,400 | $144,600 | >$145K |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 1,740 mean earnings: $102,300 | $54,010 | $69,970 | $93,540 | $126,180 | >$145K |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 3,290 mean earnings: $95,960 | $50,870 | $66,810 | $89,320 | $117,120 | >$145K |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 1,930 mean earnings: $93,070 | $42,370 | $59,510 | $85,530 | $117,100 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 3,180 mean earnings: $106,500 | $49,890 | $69,630 | $98,110 | $134,580 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 65,230 mean earnings: $104,980 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,300 | $66,950 | $93,140 | $134,820 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 34,310 mean earnings: $104,530 | $49,900 | $68,160 | $92,790 | $133,040 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 21,180 mean earnings: $101,250 | $47,930 | $63,560 | $89,090 | $130,400 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 9,740 mean earnings: $114,660 | $50,810 | $73,150 | $103,530 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Retail Trade employment: 63,470 mean earnings: $84,740 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,740 | $48,650 | $70,310 | $109,990 | >$145K |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 24,910 mean earnings: $104,050 | $47,530 | $66,200 | $93,460 | $134,460 | >$145K |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 3,040 mean earnings: $88,570 | $39,550 | $52,650 | $75,660 | $111,260 | >$145K |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 3,380 mean earnings: $87,430 | $37,630 | $48,550 | $69,570 | $119,500 | >$145K |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 3,780 mean earnings: $85,000 | $37,590 | $48,500 | $68,050 | $107,240 | >$145K |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 6,430 mean earnings: $62,100 | $30,170 | $37,940 | $53,530 | $71,010 | $108,570 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 1,770 mean earnings: $85,590 | $36,460 | $48,050 | $70,620 | $111,860 | >$145K |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 810 mean earnings: $62,710 | $25,860 | $36,030 | $51,060 | $76,730 | $114,210 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 5,580 mean earnings: $69,410 | $32,880 | $41,120 | $56,330 | $86,280 | $127,360 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 2,330 mean earnings: $64,710 | $30,730 | $39,480 | $53,070 | $78,960 | $113,920 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 5,550 mean earnings: $56,270 | $36,000 | $41,160 | $50,370 | $64,070 | $85,170 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 3,970 mean earnings: $71,920 | $33,080 | $44,510 | $60,280 | $85,970 | $132,010 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 1,910 mean earnings: $84,820 | $39,500 | $52,320 | $71,270 | $106,370 | >$145K |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 5,960 mean earnings: $87,310 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,990 | $57,040 | $76,630 | $108,260 | >$145K |
| Air Transportation employment: 810 mean earnings: $82,240 | $42,040 | $58,800 | $76,700 | $98,760 | $131,490 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 220 mean earnings: $98,150 | $51,550 | $66,100 | $95,520 | $120,370 | >$145K |
| Water Transportation employment: 250 mean earnings: $85,160 | $49,820 | $58,550 | $72,660 | $101,810 | $139,020 |
| Truck Transportation employment: 1,700 mean earnings: $81,780 | $40,700 | $52,390 | $73,290 | $101,210 | $138,470 |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation employment: 140 mean earnings: $71,240 | $30,760 | $40,240 | $57,970 | $88,780 | $131,660 |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 30 mean earnings: $135,610 | $62,930 | $103,750 | $136,130 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation employment: 110 mean earnings: $70,280 | $30,090 | $37,700 | $49,510 | $78,830 | >$145K |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 1,460 mean earnings: $97,570 | $46,360 | $62,630 | $84,200 | $122,990 | >$145K |
| Postal Service employment: 180 mean earnings: $74,090 | $57,780 | $61,060 | $66,530 | $73,430 | $120,470 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 280 mean earnings: $91,920 | $48,640 | $58,130 | $75,760 | $112,040 | >$145K |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 770 mean earnings: $87,530 | $43,720 | $58,040 | $78,170 | $109,960 | $143,840 |
| Information employment: 21,130 mean earnings: $110,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,440 | $69,850 | $101,620 | $143,990 | >$145K |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 7,710 mean earnings: $107,460 | $46,650 | $65,540 | $97,100 | $141,320 | >$145K |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 980 mean earnings: $113,720 | $45,180 | $69,160 | $105,030 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 3,870 mean earnings: $115,960 | $49,210 | $71,600 | $108,100 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 310 mean earnings: $105,200 | $51,290 | $73,730 | $93,760 | $127,240 | >$145K |
| Telecommunications employment: 5,240 mean earnings: $104,710 | $50,910 | $69,620 | $97,280 | $131,980 | >$145K |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 2,880 mean earnings: $121,670 | $57,550 | $80,700 | $115,910 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Other Information Services employment: 140 mean earnings: $125,610 | $66,320 | $87,320 | $114,800 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 26,470 mean earnings: $113,480 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,100 | $70,340 | $103,180 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 10,320 mean earnings: $109,360 | $47,240 | $63,320 | $97,540 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 4,620 mean earnings: $131,240 | $63,460 | $88,400 | $123,140 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 11,240 mean earnings: $110,250 | $50,450 | $70,450 | $100,100 | $142,620 | >$145K |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 290 mean earnings: $102,240 | $49,890 | $67,200 | $90,660 | $131,710 | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 6,130 mean earnings: $83,180 (EC) (def) (IG) | $38,240 | $49,420 | $68,910 | $104,340 | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: 2,520 mean earnings: $85,450 | $41,080 | $53,090 | $70,800 | $106,280 | >$145K |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 3,220 mean earnings: $79,540 | $36,140 | $46,970 | $65,400 | $99,100 | >$145K |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 390 mean earnings: $98,670 | $39,270 | $51,830 | $82,750 | $136,950 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 20,320 mean earnings: $119,580 (EC) (def) (IG) | $53,370 | $77,640 | $113,220 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 20,320 mean earnings: $119,580 | $53,370 | $77,640 | $113,220 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 21,190 mean earnings: $104,290 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,380 | $67,840 | $96,030 | $130,700 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 21,190 mean earnings: $104,290 | $50,380 | $67,840 | $96,030 | $130,700 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 18,380 mean earnings: $82,290 (EC) (def) (IG) | $34,770 | $46,720 | $70,790 | $106,960 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 17,770 mean earnings: $82,160 | $34,590 | $46,470 | $70,410 | $107,010 | >$145K |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 620 mean earnings: $86,030 | $40,860 | $57,060 | $78,130 | $105,870 | $143,470 |
| Educational Services employment: 510 mean earnings: $87,840 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,900 | $56,400 | $73,000 | $109,750 | >$145K |
| Educational Services employment: 510 mean earnings: $87,840 | $42,900 | $56,400 | $73,000 | $109,750 | >$145K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 1,020 mean earnings: $101,950 (EC) (def) (IG) | $44,980 | $61,880 | $92,140 | $131,660 | >$145K |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 580 mean earnings: $113,930 | $54,600 | $78,350 | $106,800 | $142,820 | >$145K |
| Hospitals employment: 210 mean earnings: $90,310 | $45,700 | $60,700 | $78,710 | $108,520 | >$145K |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 90 mean earnings: $85,970 | $38,740 | $44,180 | $56,690 | $121,150 | >$145K |
| Social Assistance employment: 140 mean earnings: $80,200 | $35,530 | $47,970 | $67,040 | $103,520 | $144,060 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 1,820 mean earnings: $86,870 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,720 | $46,560 | $70,280 | $114,590 | >$145K |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 1,080 mean earnings: $87,710 | $32,670 | $46,120 | $71,020 | $116,900 | >$145K |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 210 mean earnings: $70,190 | $33,310 | $42,370 | $57,330 | $80,980 | $124,370 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 530 mean earnings: $91,660 | $35,860 | $50,060 | $77,470 | $122,390 | >$145K |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 7,910 mean earnings: $64,590 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,960 | $40,190 | $53,910 | $76,970 | $111,530 |
| Accommodation employment: 6,370 mean earnings: $64,430 | $32,630 | $41,070 | $54,690 | $76,440 | $109,330 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 1,540 mean earnings: $65,210 | $29,410 | $37,090 | $49,600 | $79,910 | $122,760 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 4,200 mean earnings: $77,120 (EC) (def) (IG) | $35,160 | $45,900 | $63,710 | $95,200 | $142,260 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 1,900 mean earnings: $77,450 | $34,220 | $45,030 | $67,400 | $99,080 | $137,370 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 1,760 mean earnings: $68,040 | $34,510 | $44,370 | $56,140 | $80,430 | $118,020 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 540 mean earnings: $105,420 | $44,820 | $57,050 | $89,090 | $144,900 | >$145K |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 320 mean earnings: $70,390 (def) (IG) | $37,110 | $48,940 | $66,230 | $89,930 | $110,370 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 320 mean earnings: $70,390 | $37,110 | $48,940 | $66,230 | $89,930 | $110,370 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.