Sales Manager Salary
The median annual wage for sales managers in the United States is $148,270, about $71.28 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $100,360 to $207,340. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area the median is $148,320.
Data as of May 2025.
Sales Manager pay by percentile
| Percentile | United States | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,170 | $76,480 |
| 25th percentile | $100,360 | $103,590 |
| Median (50th) | $148,270 | $148,320 |
| 75th percentile | $207,340 | $202,600 |
| 90th percentile | $290,540 | $263,490 |
| Mean (average) | $164,350 | $161,580 |
| Workers employed | 637,080 | 11,210 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Hourly equivalent of the U.S. median: $71.28.
U.S. Range
10th to 90th percentile, annual wage
The shaded band is the middle half of workers: $100,360 to $207,340.
BLS counted 637,080 workers in "Sales Managers" in May 2025. Their median annual wage was $148,270, so half earned less and half earned more. The mean was $164,350, pulled above the median by a smaller group of high earners. The lowest-paid tenth earned $73,170 or less and the highest-paid tenth earned $290,540 or more, about 4.0 times as much.
In the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area BLS counted 11,210 workers, about 1.8% of the national total. The metro median of $148,320 is 0% above the national median.
BLS reports this occupation as "Sales Managers" across every industry. A dealership new or used vehicle sales manager is one example, but the figures also include sales managers in manufacturing, software, finance and many other fields.
Sales Manager salary by state
New York has the highest state median at $217,640 and West Virginia the lowest at $94,830, a gap of $122,810. 15 of 50 state medians are above the national figure. Arizona ranks 16th at $145,690, 2% below the national median. State medians ignore cost of living.
Ten Highest State Medians
Median annual wage, BLS
Median Pay by State
All 50 state medians. Hover or tap a state for the annual and hourly figures.
What affects sales manager pay
- Compensation at this level is often a mix of base pay and incentive pay. BLS wage figures count commissions and production bonuses as part of wages, so the numbers reflect total pay and not base salary alone.
- Results drive the upper end. Managers who lead a team through strong sales, gross profit and customer satisfaction targets typically sit near the top of the range, while newer managers sit lower.
- Employer size and store volume matter. A high-volume store and a small single-point store set very different targets, and pay plans follow them.
- Because the BLS category spans all industries, treat the figures as a reference range rather than an automotive-only benchmark, and compare them with the pay plan in a specific offer.
Career Path and Pay
Sales managers typically rise from a sales role after showing steady results and the ability to coach others. In an auto dealership that can mean moving from sales consultant to team leader and then to new or used vehicle sales manager.
Beyond the sales manager seat, the usual steps are general sales manager and general manager, and at a group level director or regional roles. Each step widens the number of stores, people and targets a manager answers for.
What a Sales Manager does
- Coach and manage sales consultants and set daily and monthly targets.
- Structure deals, appraise trade-ins and manage pricing and inventory.
- Monitor lead follow-up, customer satisfaction and compliance.
Sales Manager salary: common questions
How much does a sales manager make?
The median is $148,270 a year, about $71.28 an hour (BLS, May 2025). The middle half earns $100,360 to $207,340.
How much does a sales manager make in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ median is $148,320, about $71.31 an hour, and the middle half earns $103,590 to $202,600.
What do the highest- and lowest-paid sales managers earn?
Nationally, the top tenth earn $290,540 or more and the bottom tenth earn $73,170 or less. BLS does not report pay by years of experience, so these are not formal entry-level or senior figures.
Which state pays sales managers the most?
New York ($217,640), then Massachusetts ($191,200) and Virginia ($191,130).
How are sales managers paid?
Often through a mix of salary, commission and bonuses tied to team or store results. BLS wage figures count commissions and production bonuses as wages, so the numbers on this page describe total pay and not base salary alone.
What education does a sales manager need?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree and related work experience as typical for the occupation. In vehicle sales, a proven sales record and leadership experience often matter as much as a degree.
Does this salary data cover automotive dealerships only?
No. BLS reports this occupation as "Sales Managers" across every industry. A dealership new or used vehicle sales manager is one example, but the figures also include sales managers in manufacturing, software, finance and many other fields.
How these numbers are calculated
Wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025. They cover wage and salary workers, count commissions and production bonuses, and leave out the self-employed, overtime and benefits. Hourly figures are the annual wage divided by 2,080 hours, a conversion AutoHire adds. A dash means BLS did not publish a figure.
BLS publishes May 2026 estimates in spring 2027. This page updates when they are released.
Sources
- BLS OEWS, Sales Managers (11-2022), national, state and metropolitan estimates (data as of May 2025)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program overview and methods (data as of May 2025)
Data as of May 2025.
Related
Looking for a Sales Manager job?
Create a free AutoHire profile and apply to automotive jobs, or post an opening if you are hiring.