Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers oversee and guide sales teams that do not work in traditional retail settings. Nationally, about 320,000 people work in this occupation, indicating a sizeable presence in the sales and management landscape. The national median annual salary of $84,130 shows that these roles can offer solid earning potential for those who advance into supervisory positions. Career opportunities are steady, with an estimated 25,000 annual openings, even though overall projected employment growth is 0.0%. This means that new jobs are expected to come primarily from turnover, promotions, and other workforce changes rather than expansion. Typical preparation is accessible, with a high school diploma or equivalent being the standard educational requirement. However, success in this career draws heavily on leadership, communication, and analytical abilities. For individuals interested in managing sales teams and coordinating sales activities, this occupation can provide a long-term pathway, and it also connects well to related management roles such as marketing or financial management careers.
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers earn a national median annual salary of $84,130, positioning this role as a potentially strong option for those seeking management-level pay with a high school diploma or equivalent. Pay levels vary across states and metro areas. Among the highlighted states, New York shows a median salary of $121,780 and Massachusetts $115,150, while Colorado offers $110,450 and Washington $95,150. California’s median is $81,140, slightly below the national median. At the metro level, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH stands out with a median salary of $122,870, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $116,980. Other metros such as San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($105,130) and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($101,410) also provide six-figure medians. These differences suggest that location can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
For first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers, national employment stands at about 320,000, reflecting a large occupational group. Projected employment growth is 0.0%, indicating that the total number of positions is expected to remain stable rather than expand or contract over the forecast period. Even with flat overall growth, the occupation is projected to offer about 25,000 annual openings. These openings are likely tied to typical workforce movements such as retirements, career changes, and internal promotions rather than net new job creation. The combination of stable projected employment and ongoing openings can appeal to people who value predictable demand for supervisory skills in sales environments. Individuals considering this path may also want to note that related roles—such as property, real estate, and community association managers; transportation, storage, and distribution managers; marketing managers; postmasters and mail superintendents; and financial managers—offer additional avenues for long-term career development.
Career prospects for first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers differ by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, employment of 19,600, and a median salary of $81,140. New York and Massachusetts both combine relatively high opportunity scores (65.78 and 65.87) with higher median salaries of $121,780 and $115,150, respectively, though with smaller employment levels than California. Colorado and Washington also rank among the top states, with opportunity scores above 56 and median salaries of $110,450 and $95,150. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score of 77.42, with a median salary of $84,800. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro closely follows with a 77.27 opportunity score and a median salary of $116,980. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria also offer strong combinations of opportunity scores and median pay.
The typical education requirement for first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the role accessible to individuals who may not pursue a bachelor’s degree but are interested in stepping into leadership positions. While formal education requirements are relatively modest, the skill profile for this occupation is broad and demanding. Important skills include leadership, problem solving and decision making, project management, and strong speaking and listening abilities. Customer service and interpersonal skills are central to working effectively with both clients and team members. Mathematics and critical and analytical thinking support tasks that involve evaluating information and making sound judgments. Writing and reading skills help with documentation and communication, while competence with computers and information technology underpins modern sales and supervisory work. Building this mix of skills—through on-the-job learning, training programs, or other experiences—can be key to performing successfully and advancing in this career.
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