Sales managers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Sales managers in the United States earn a median salary of $148,270 per year — about $71 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 620K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +5%.
AI & Automation Risk
Sales managers perform high-level knowledge work including data analysis, sales forecasting, and strategic planning, all of which are highly susceptible to AI augmentation. While the role requires significant interpersonal leadership and relationship management, much of the core digital workflow—such as monitoring CRM data, generating reports, and developing training materials—is being rapidly transformed by generative and analytical AI.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KSBEST VALUE | $189,740 | Below avg (90.2) | $210,255 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $198,550 | Average (101.1) | $196,335 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $190,370 | Average (97.6) | $195,107 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $215,150 | Above avg (112.6) | $191,137 |
| Boulder, CO | $200,970 | Above avg (105.2) | $191,032 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $206,610 | Above avg (108.3) | $190,836 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $201,780 | Above avg (110.4) | $182,734 |
| Dover, DE | $178,130 | Average (97.5) | $182,684 |
| Pueblo, CO | $166,160 | Below avg (91.8) | $181,077 |
| Manhattan, KS | $162,920 | Below avg (90.2) | $180,697 |
| Syracuse, NY | $170,090 | Below avg (95.7) | $177,655 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $172,930 | Average (97.5) | $177,282 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $177,780 | Average (100.7) | $176,532 |
| Greeley, CO | $176,390 | Average (100.2) | $176,080 |
| Topeka, KS | $154,970 | Below avg (88.8) | $174,476 |