Sales managers
November 2004 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 700,000 jobs in 2002. The following tabulation shows the distribution of jobs by occupational specialty.
| Sales managers | 343,000 |
| Marketing managers | 203,000 |
| Advertising and promotions managers | 85,000 |
| Public relations managers | 69,000 |
These managers were found in virtually every industry. Sales managers held almost half of the jobs; most were employed in manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and finance and insurance industries. Marketing managers held more one-fourth of the jobs; manufacturing, and professional, scientific, and technical services industries employed more than one-third of marketing managers. More than one-third of advertising and promotions managers worked in professional, scientific, and technical services, and information industries, including advertising and related services, and publishing industries. Most public relations managers were employed in services industries, such as other services (except government), professional, scientific, and technical services, finance and insurance, health care and social assistance services, and educational services.
Median annual earnings in 2002 were $57,130 for advertising and promotions managers, $78,250 for marketing managers, $75,040 for sales managers, and $60,640 for public relations managers. Earnings ranged from less than $30,310 for the lowest-paid 10 percent of advertising and promotions managers, to more than $145,600 for the highest-paid 10 percent of marketing and sales managers.
Median annual earnings advertising and promotions managers in 2002 in the advertising and related services industry were $72,630.
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of marketing managers in 2002 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $96,440 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 90,750 |
| Depository credit intermediation | 65,960 |
Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of sales managers in 2002 were as follows:
| Computer systems design and related services | $102,520 |
| Automobile dealers | 91,350 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 87,800 |
| Insurance carriers | 80,540 |
| Traveler accommodation | 44,560 |
Median annual earnings of public relations managers in 2002 in colleges, universities, and professional schools were $55,510.
According to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey, starting salaries for marketing majors graduating in 2003 averaged $34,038; starting salaries for advertising majors averaged $29,495.
Salary levels vary substantially, depending upon the level of managerial responsibility, length of service, education, firm size, 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.
November 2004 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: 150 mean earnings: $94,520 (def) (IG) | $43,290 | $56,240 | $83,830 | $116,190 | >$145K |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry employment: 150 mean earnings: $94,860 | $43,560 | $56,230 | $83,490 | $116,720 | >$145K |
| Mining employment: 860 mean earnings: $85,040 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,020 | $54,710 | $78,230 | $107,670 | $138,460 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 130 mean earnings: $104,820 | $48,350 | $61,970 | $100,420 | $132,530 | >$145K |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) employment: 300 mean earnings: $87,940 | $42,520 | $59,550 | $80,150 | $106,020 | $145,230 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 430 mean earnings: $77,040 | $37,820 | $50,400 | $72,330 | $100,660 | $121,690 |
| Utilities employment: 500 mean earnings: $100,500 (EC) (def) (IG) | $61,500 | $77,380 | $92,990 | $114,860 | >$145K |
| Utilities employment: 500 mean earnings: $100,500 | $61,500 | $77,380 | $92,990 | $114,860 | >$145K |
| Construction employment: 4,110 mean earnings: $94,260 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,520 | $60,510 | $85,100 | $117,280 | >$145K |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 2,010 mean earnings: $96,710 | $41,940 | $63,770 | $88,770 | $122,430 | >$145K |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 690 mean earnings: $92,260 | $38,940 | $56,940 | $84,010 | $118,310 | >$145K |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 1,420 mean earnings: $91,770 | $44,210 | $57,630 | $80,960 | $110,620 | >$145K |
| Manufacturing employment: 50,460 mean earnings: $99,760 (EC) (def) (IG) | $48,600 | $65,270 | $90,240 | $123,900 | >$145K |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 3,440 mean earnings: $93,720 | $44,020 | $58,900 | $84,700 | $118,430 | >$145K |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 1,540 mean earnings: $87,300 | $45,130 | $54,690 | $72,320 | $108,510 | >$145K |
| Textile Mills employment: 570 mean earnings: $101,340 | $44,750 | $63,880 | $87,250 | $131,790 | >$145K |
| Textile Product Mills employment: 470 mean earnings: $90,500 | $41,290 | $55,160 | $82,520 | $115,740 | >$145K |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 760 mean earnings: $113,080 | $42,700 | $60,060 | $93,140 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 120 mean earnings: $93,400 | $45,790 | $56,880 | $84,290 | $120,530 | >$145K |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 1,220 mean earnings: $88,150 | $43,380 | $55,070 | $77,100 | $110,570 | >$145K |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 1,860 mean earnings: $101,220 | $50,710 | $69,900 | $93,200 | $122,810 | >$145K |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 2,250 mean earnings: $102,860 | $44,260 | $62,770 | $90,180 | $132,550 | >$145K |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing employment: 270 mean earnings: $105,860 | $51,310 | $68,420 | $100,200 | $134,540 | >$145K |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 4,280 mean earnings: $107,190 | $49,820 | $68,800 | $98,270 | $136,670 | >$145K |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 2,360 mean earnings: $97,300 | $49,290 | $65,020 | $89,510 | $119,970 | >$145K |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 1,600 mean earnings: $88,580 | $44,950 | $59,270 | $80,220 | $108,270 | >$145K |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 1,130 mean earnings: $94,720 | $50,570 | $65,500 | $87,730 | $114,700 | >$145K |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 5,170 mean earnings: $89,860 | $47,370 | $61,410 | $81,750 | $109,410 | $145,280 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 5,910 mean earnings: $94,610 | $50,970 | $66,280 | $88,100 | $114,150 | >$145K |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 7,140 mean earnings: $118,760 | $61,540 | $81,840 | $110,140 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 1,750 mean earnings: $101,080 | $54,240 | $68,890 | $90,900 | $123,710 | >$145K |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 3,160 mean earnings: $96,270 | $51,440 | $67,260 | $89,790 | $116,340 | >$145K |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 1,960 mean earnings: $90,590 | $41,270 | $56,000 | $82,650 | $113,360 | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 3,480 mean earnings: $101,780 | $46,130 | $64,610 | $92,010 | $129,050 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 62,710 mean earnings: $103,170 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,140 | $65,850 | $91,150 | $130,320 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 34,210 mean earnings: $103,420 | $49,500 | $66,900 | $91,190 | $130,660 | >$145K |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 20,160 mean earnings: $98,720 | $47,880 | $62,230 | $86,840 | $123,650 | >$145K |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 8,340 mean earnings: $112,910 | $51,840 | $72,420 | $102,510 | $144,900 | >$145K |
| Retail Trade employment: 61,550 mean earnings: $83,300 (EC) (def) (IG) | $34,290 | $47,000 | $69,870 | $107,860 | >$145K |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 24,460 mean earnings: $102,370 | $45,250 | $63,930 | $91,890 | $132,540 | >$145K |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 3,170 mean earnings: $84,990 | $38,080 | $51,740 | $72,540 | $107,060 | >$145K |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 3,360 mean earnings: $82,960 | $35,450 | $46,800 | $66,690 | $109,870 | >$145K |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 3,510 mean earnings: $76,300 | $33,400 | $43,680 | $63,220 | $96,710 | $142,220 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 7,160 mean earnings: $58,270 | $29,060 | $35,520 | $51,770 | $67,980 | $95,580 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 1,780 mean earnings: $86,810 | $35,070 | $49,650 | $74,450 | $110,940 | >$145K |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 950 mean earnings: $59,100 | $25,700 | $31,610 | $48,280 | $75,170 | $106,760 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 5,210 mean earnings: $71,610 | $31,860 | $40,220 | $56,900 | $88,820 | $134,090 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 2,530 mean earnings: $62,040 | $30,190 | $36,750 | $50,190 | $77,850 | $106,410 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 3,590 mean earnings: $55,340 | $31,260 | $38,780 | $48,540 | $64,910 | $87,000 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 3,680 mean earnings: $73,620 | $31,180 | $42,110 | $59,890 | $90,680 | $137,770 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 2,160 mean earnings: $83,480 | $39,250 | $51,460 | $71,300 | $101,090 | >$145K |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 6,350 mean earnings: $85,360 (EC) (def) (IG) | $43,530 | $55,940 | $74,770 | $103,480 | $144,450 |
| Air Transportation employment: 780 mean earnings: $80,370 | $40,870 | $56,880 | $76,430 | $95,400 | $123,180 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 240 mean earnings: $89,860 | $50,430 | $63,710 | $85,950 | $113,780 | $136,800 |
| Water Transportation employment: 270 mean earnings: $88,350 | $49,170 | $59,370 | $77,310 | $104,540 | >$145K |
| Truck Transportation employment: 1,840 mean earnings: $79,390 | $43,100 | $52,910 | $70,000 | $95,200 | $126,820 |
| Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation employment: 170 mean earnings: $69,950 | $30,220 | $38,990 | $57,030 | $87,420 | $127,350 |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 40 mean earnings: $124,390 | $53,890 | $83,840 | $127,040 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation employment: 80 mean earnings: $61,740 | $30,960 | $37,770 | $49,970 | $67,860 | $100,660 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 1,520 mean earnings: $97,560 | $45,280 | $61,810 | $82,300 | $123,220 | >$145K |
| Postal Service employment: 190 mean earnings: $69,780 | $53,870 | $59,270 | $64,620 | $69,980 | $102,870 |
| Couriers and Messengers employment: 410 mean earnings: $86,930 | $49,820 | $57,890 | $76,790 | $104,280 | $142,810 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 800 mean earnings: $84,970 | $43,960 | $56,150 | $75,770 | $106,770 | $140,630 |
| Information employment: 22,150 mean earnings: $110,420 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,970 | $70,850 | $101,100 | $141,740 | >$145K |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 7,890 mean earnings: $106,140 | $47,060 | $66,160 | $95,490 | $136,540 | >$145K |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries employment: 920 mean earnings: $110,770 | $40,100 | $65,790 | $103,000 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 4,090 mean earnings: $118,660 | $51,560 | $74,700 | $110,710 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Internet Publishing and Broadcasting employment: 420 mean earnings: $114,700 | $54,270 | $78,670 | $103,660 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Telecommunications employment: 5,550 mean earnings: $102,080 | $50,520 | $68,850 | $94,930 | $125,890 | >$145K |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 3,140 mean earnings: $123,740 | $59,970 | $82,690 | $117,140 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Other Information Services employment: 140 mean earnings: $127,330 | $76,570 | $94,160 | $113,800 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 26,940 mean earnings: $111,350 (EC) (def) (IG) | $47,880 | $67,760 | $99,900 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 10,940 mean earnings: $105,170 | $42,860 | $57,950 | $92,770 | $141,560 | >$145K |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 4,500 mean earnings: $129,730 | $64,100 | $85,770 | $118,730 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 11,170 mean earnings: $110,190 | $50,120 | $69,460 | $99,100 | $141,760 | >$145K |
| Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles employment: 310 mean earnings: $105,830 | $46,530 | $63,960 | $90,590 | $141,020 | >$145K |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 6,690 mean earnings: $80,530 (EC) (def) (IG) | $36,440 | $48,250 | $67,500 | $99,340 | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: 2,690 mean earnings: $82,680 | $38,460 | $51,510 | $69,380 | $101,610 | >$145K |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 3,570 mean earnings: $76,710 | $35,010 | $45,780 | $64,270 | $94,010 | $140,260 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 430 mean earnings: $98,920 | $38,330 | $53,220 | $81,970 | $134,830 | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 21,550 mean earnings: $117,610 (EC) (def) (IG) | $53,160 | $78,230 | $110,460 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 21,550 mean earnings: $117,610 | $53,160 | $78,230 | $110,460 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 19,370 mean earnings: $105,860 (EC) (def) (IG) | $49,120 | $67,440 | $96,040 | $133,580 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 19,370 mean earnings: $105,860 | $49,120 | $67,440 | $96,040 | $133,580 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 18,770 mean earnings: $78,460 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,330 | $44,480 | $65,890 | $100,960 | $142,460 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 18,180 mean earnings: $78,370 | $33,190 | $44,270 | $65,600 | $101,060 | $142,560 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 580 mean earnings: $81,270 | $39,450 | $51,830 | $71,950 | $98,550 | $138,380 |
| Educational Services employment: 430 mean earnings: $89,880 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,560 | $53,920 | $76,120 | $116,470 | >$145K |
| Educational Services employment: 430 mean earnings: $89,880 | $41,560 | $53,920 | $76,120 | $116,470 | >$145K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 910 mean earnings: $99,460 (EC) (def) (IG) | $43,140 | $57,790 | $88,090 | $126,980 | >$145K |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 530 mean earnings: $113,990 | $52,170 | $74,690 | $103,460 | $145,380 | >$145K |
| Hospitals employment: 170 mean earnings: $86,080 | $45,850 | $58,830 | $76,160 | $103,050 | $142,270 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 70 mean earnings: $67,390 | $37,440 | $41,460 | $49,250 | $79,650 | $115,860 |
| Social Assistance employment: 140 mean earnings: $77,700 | $35,320 | $46,690 | $57,180 | $98,340 | >$145K |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 2,130 mean earnings: $74,580 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,780 | $41,770 | $59,570 | $91,440 | $143,230 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 1,180 mean earnings: $77,410 | $32,080 | $44,180 | $62,580 | $92,740 | >$145K |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 210 mean earnings: $61,180 | $32,580 | $38,970 | $51,270 | $69,100 | $103,230 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 730 mean earnings: $73,930 | $31,170 | $39,780 | $58,190 | $95,970 | $140,420 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 8,060 mean earnings: $62,250 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,500 | $39,090 | $51,890 | $73,260 | $107,520 |
| Accommodation employment: 6,530 mean earnings: $62,690 | $32,110 | $40,100 | $53,310 | $73,980 | $105,940 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 1,530 mean earnings: $60,370 | $29,150 | $35,670 | $45,400 | $68,930 | $113,750 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 4,450 mean earnings: $72,720 (EC) (def) (IG) | $34,350 | $43,340 | $60,800 | $89,470 | $132,280 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 2,090 mean earnings: $76,240 | $34,430 | $44,050 | $64,860 | $95,120 | $138,510 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 1,910 mean earnings: $65,840 | $33,230 | $41,050 | $54,580 | $78,060 | $115,920 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 450 mean earnings: $85,640 | $43,110 | $53,870 | $76,980 | $108,020 | $142,420 |
| Public Administration employment: 320 mean earnings: $67,580 (def) (IG) | $36,310 | $48,000 | $64,290 | $85,480 | $107,230 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 320 mean earnings: $67,580 | $36,310 | $48,000 | $64,290 | $85,480 | $107,230 |
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.
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates