Sales Manager salary guide 2026
A sales manager in the U.S. earns a median base salary of about $153,500 in 2026. That estimate applies the 3.4% average 2026 pay increase reported by Mercer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median of $148,270 for sales managers. The middle half earn about $104,000 to $214,500.
$153,500
Estimated median base, 2026
$104,000–$214,500
Middle 50% of earners, 2026 est.
$300,500
Top 10% earn above, 2026 est.
What the role involves
Sales managers lead teams of account managers or reps, set quotas, coach, and own a revenue number. In mid-market companies the role often carries its own accounts too. Because BLS pay data includes commissions, the range also reflects how much of the package is variable.
Sales Manager pay by percentile
| Percentile | BLS, May 2025 | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,170 | $75,500 |
| 25th percentile | $100,360 | $104,000 |
| Median | $148,270 | $153,500 |
| 75th percentile | $207,340 | $214,500 |
| 90th percentile | $290,540 | $300,500 |
BLS occupation: Sales Managers (SOC 11-2022). BLS wage figures for sales managers include commissions and incentive pay.
Phoenix metro
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler median for sales managers was $148,320 in May 2025, compared with $148,270 nationally, essentially the same.
What moves sales manager pay
BLS wage data for this role includes commissions and incentive pay, which is part of why the range is so wide.
Managers who have built and coached a team, not just carried a quota, are the profiles employers compete for.
Bonus and incentives
Sales managers typically earn a base plus commission or bonus tied to team revenue, margin, and quota attainment.
Key skills
Frequently asked questions
How we calculated these figures
National figures are Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates for May 2025, released May 15, 2026, the most recent official data. 2026 estimates apply the 3.4% average total pay increase U.S. employers delivered in 2026, from Mercer's survey of 756 employers. BLS wages include base pay, commissions, and production bonuses, but exclude benefits, overtime premiums, and equity.
Hiring a sales manager?
A flat-fee sales manager search with Colossus is $22,500, fixed wherever the offer lands, with a 12-month replacement guarantee. Prefer to pay only when your hire starts? Contingent search is 25% of first-year base salary, about $38,375 at a $153,500 salary.
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