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What is a Sales Manager?

Sales and Sales Manager is a field of study employing the practical application of communication, psychology, and business know-how to help an organization achieve revenue objectives.  A sales manager is charged with managing a sales team, cultivating business, recruiting, training, establishing sales targets, and leadership.  The sales team and sales manager are focused on growing net sales for an organization through the sale of services and products that drive business growth and expansion.  In most businesses and organizations, sales staff and sales managers are incentivized through variable compensation for reaching and exceeding sales targets.

An organizations executive management team work closely with sales managers to establish a workable strategic sales plan.  The sales plan for the fiscal year or fiscal quarter will include quotas, forecasts, business drivers, market conditions, product enhancements, service upgrades, profit goals, human resource management, reporting mechanisms, and consumer demand.  Sales and Sales Managers are a driving force in business that are often associated with the engine of growth in both public and private entities.

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Sales Manager Courses

Since its founding in 1831, New York University (NYU) has been one of the nation's leading institutions of higher education located in New York City, New York. Today, NYU  continues to provide a rigorous education and academic support and resources needed by more than 50,000 students to enhance their critical thinking and to create a dynamic learning environment.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a Sales Concentration at NYU Stern Marketing Department develops students to have a competitive strategic mindset which is helpful in anticipating competitor entry and responding strategically through laying out sustainable competitive advantages. The courses in the program tackle the analysis of demand, competition, economics, and the firm’s ability to secure a competitively defensible position which determines the product/market choices the firm will make. To do this, several preliminary activities must be done such as marketing research, distribution, pricing, sales promotion, and advertising. Learn more about the program at stern.nyu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

16.2

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Bentley University is a private university based in Waltham, Massachusetts offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs on business. Founded in 1917 as the Bentley School of Accounting and Finance, Bentley integrates arts and sciences into business education to provide students with critical thinking and practical skills that can lead to successful careers.

The Professional Sales major at Bentley is a business program that allows students to develop critical knowledge, skill, and perspective in revenue generation, business development, and sales management. Throughout the program, students get an overview of the role of sales within an organization while acquiring professional sales skills that are highly transferable across industries. Students in the major are required to finish the General Education Curriculum on top of the General Business core and major-specific courses and electives. Some of the courses in the curriculum are Sales Strategy and Technology, Effective Selling, Negotiating, and Interpersonal Relations in Management. For the complete program curriculum, go to bentley.edu.

Acceptance Rate

46.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Originally located in Fordham in the Bronx, Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university with campuses in Bronx, Manhattan, and West Harrison, New York. The university, established in 1841, has over 15,000 students across its 9 schools and colleges and 5 campuses.

The Marketing and Sales major at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business is an undergraduate program where students learn how to make messages to sell products in any kind of industry. Students gain the critical aspects of consumer buying habits through looking at economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, statistics, and mathematics. The distribution, pricing, and preparation of products and services as well as appropriate communications tools are also covered in the program curriculum. The department boasts its dual-core curriculum which is half business, half liberal arts to ensure that graduates are knowledgeable about global commerce while considering human factors in every deal. Access the program curriculum at fordham.edu.

Acceptance Rate

45.88

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Located in Waco, Texas, Baylor University is a private Baptist research university offering undergraduate and graduate programs across a variety of disciplines. Founded in 1845, it is the oldest continually operating university in Texas that provides a vibrant and strong campus community for almost 16,000 students across 98 countries through the integration of interdisciplinary research and educational excellence.

Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business houses the Center for Professional Selling which is one of the most premier global information resources for professions in sales. The Professional Selling degree consists of 7 nationally-benchmarked courses such as Professional Selling and Communications, Negotiating and Conflict Resolution, Marketing Channels, and Marketing Analysis and Decision Making. Through a combination of interactive classroom learning and experiential activities to develop the necessary skills and experiences to launch a successful career in the field of sales. Students finish the program through a Professional Sales Internship which is a short-term paid placement, usually for a semester, within a firm. Explore the program at baylor.edu.

Acceptance Rate

45.33

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

With a student body of more than 19,500, Baruch College is a public college in York City under the City University of New York system with a very diverse community of scholars and professionals. The college, founded in 1847 as the Free Academy which is the first free public college in the United States, embraces academic excellence, accessibility, and opportunity for students around the world.

The Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College offers a Management program with three tracks: Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, and Operations Management. Students in the Entrepreneurship and Sales track are required to finish 4 track-specific courses, 3 business electives, and 3 electives from other related disciplines. Some of the courses in the curriculum are Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset, Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, Designing for Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in the Wild. Human Resource Management is ideal for students who want to pursue a career involving recruitment and placement, training and development, labor relations, and performance appraisal systems while the Operations Management track is perfect for students who desire to become an operations manager. To know more about the program, visit zicklin.baruch.cuny.edu.

Acceptance Rate

43.47

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public land-grant research university in the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is considered the flagship institution of the University of Minnesota system with over 50,000 students. The university is one of the five universities in the country with engineering, medical, law, veterinary medicine, and agricultural schools all on one campus.

The Marketing program at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management can be taken either as a major or minor. Students in the program are trained to create, communicate, and deliver value with the mission of satisfying customers’ needs. The major in Sales and Marketing consists of core courses, foundational electives, and marketing analysis such as Marketing Research, Sales Management, Advertising and Promotion, Data-Driven Marketing, and Digital Marketing. Graduates of the program can take on jobs involving product or brand management, consultation, customer insights, market analysis, sales and business development, and advertising. To inquire about the program requirements, go to carlsonschool.umn.edu.

Acceptance Rate

56.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Chartered in 1876, Texas A&M University is the state’s first public institution of higher learning located in College Station, Texas. The university is one of the largest institutions in the country with more than 69,000 students in its College Station campus alone. Texas A&M is dedicated to preparing future leaders by providing over 400 undergraduate and graduate degree programs as options for study.

The Department of Marketing at Texas A&M offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with tracks in advertising, strategic retailing, marketing analytics and consulting, professional selling and sales management, and healthcare marketing. The Professional Selling and Sales Management track is a program that offers several opportunities for building career-specific skills as well as creating a network with sales professionals. In order to master track, students take several sales courses, attend professional conferences, and participate in local, regional, and national sales competitions. Students in the program are expected to acquire strong communication skills and relationship-building skills that are critical for pursuing a career in sales and marketing. For further information, go to tamu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Hampton University is a dynamic and progressive private research university located in Hampton, Virginia. It is one of the historically black universities in the world offering a wide range of technical, liberal arts education, and graduate degree programs. Since its founding in 1868, Hampton University has been fulfilling its mission of providing academic achievement and excellence.

The Marketing program of Hampton University’s School of Business is an undergraduate program taken either as a major or minor. The program aims to develop and strengthen students’ abilities for effective communication, problem-solving, decision making, and critical analysis of concepts and issues in marketing. The major in Sales and Marketing has two tracks leading to a Bachelor of Science degree and lasts for 4 years. Students majoring in Marketing must complete the general education curriculum, major-specific courses in finance, management, marketing, accounting, and business and non-business electives. Check the entire program curriculum at biz.hamptonu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

36

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

With its main campus in Searcy, Arkansas, Harding University is a private liberal arts university considered as the largest private university in Arkansas. The university, with nearly 5,000 students from different countries, has been offering undergraduate, graduate, and pre-professional programs since 1924 to aid students in transforming their passions into professions that serve others.

Harding’s College of Business Administration offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with several concentrations in general marketing, marketing analytics, modern marketing promotion, and professional sales. The program curriculum generally consists of 53 hours of liberal arts courses, business administration core courses, marketing core requirements, and 12 hours of courses in the student’s chosen concentration. Specifically, the Professional Sales concentration covers courses like Negotiations, Principles of Sales Credit, Relationship Strategies, and Sales Management. The college also offers an accelerated option of a dual degree in Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in just five years or less. To get started, visit harding.edu.

Acceptance Rate

61.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational university in Hamden, Connecticut with nearly 7,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students enrolled across 9 colleges and schools. The university offers more than 150 programs in the fields of arts and sciences, business, health sciences, communication, engineering, law, medicine, and nursing.

Quinnipiac University’s School of Business is one of the top business schools in the nation offering programs in the realm of business. The Bachelor of Science in Sales and Marketing is a program that builds industry-specific knowledge and skills within students while giving them the flexibility to customize the curriculum and schedule based on their needs. Students majoring in Marketing are required to finish the business core curriculum, university curriculum, marketing core courses and electives, and other electives in the related disciplines. Some of the core courses in the program are Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, Marketing Analytics, Integrated Marketing Communications, Marketing Channels and Distribution, and Product and Pricing Strategy. For questions about the program go to qu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

70.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Avila University is a private Roman Catholic university in Kansas City, Missouri offering values-based education in the liberal arts, professional, undergraduate and graduate degrees. Founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1826, the university was built on the principle of dedicating individuals to the “practice of all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and which will most benefit the dear neighbor”.

Avila’s School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Marketing. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Sales and Marketing concentration teaches students the key concepts in the sales and marketing industry such as marketing research, external relations, and product management. Through a combination of individualized instruction and practical hands-on experiences, students acquire a comprehensive overview of the role of marketing in every organization. There is also an option for early admission to MBA programs which allows students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees within five years. Learn more about the program at avila.edu.

Acceptance Rate

41.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

12:1

As one of the largest universities in Texas with over 47,000 students, the University of Houston (UH) is a public research university based in Houston, Texas. It is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System founded in 1927 and is home to world-renowned faculty and 30 innovative research centers. UH currently offers 250 undergraduate, 108 master, and 50 doctoral degrees across a wide variety of disciplines.

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Sales and Marketing includes basic core courses on conducting market research, analyzing buyers, pricing of goods and services, selling, advertising and sales promotion, and developing a marketing plan. There are several interest areas in Marketing and students can choose from them to be able to create a personalized program of study. These include Selling and Sales Management, Digital Marketing, Marketing Research and Analysis, Marketing Communications, and Retailing. Students who will choose the Selling and Sales Management area are required to take courses like Advanced Professional Selling, Customer Relationship Management, Personal Branding, Digital Selling, and Sales Management. It is also highly recommended to take courses like Key Account Selling, Selling for Social Impact, and Selling Financial Services to strengthen students’ knowledge and expertise. Read more about the program at bauer.uh.edu.

Acceptance Rate

64.98

Student to Faculty Ratio

22:1

With international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research university located in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1829, RIT serves nearly 19,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 nations with undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art and design, business, engineering, health sciences, liberal arts, and many more.

The Saunders College of Business is the top business school in Western New York making its undergraduate business programs exceptionally comprehensive and of high-quality. The Bachelor of Science in Sales and Marketing involves the study of business-consumer relationships from different angles which include internet marketing, professional selling, international marketing, and consumer behavior. Throughout the program, students gain competence in technical skills like search engine optimization and data analytics. Other courses in the curriculum include Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Financial Management, Organizational Behavior, Organizational Behavior, and Strategic Management. More information is available at saunders.rit.edu.

Acceptance Rate

70.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Founded in 1853 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, Manhattan College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in the Bronx, New York. The college provides a strong liberal arts foundation coupled with hands-on, technical knowledge across many disciplines to empower more than 4,000 students in pursuing their passion while making a positive impact in the world.

The Management & Marketing Department at Manhattan College offers two majors namely Marketing and Management which are taken either as major or minor. The Marketing and Sales major teaches students the key functions and managerial philosophy of contemporary organizations which is essential for the effective management of profit and nonprofit organizations. The curriculum involves courses in creating products and services, communicating their value, and improving customer relationships based on data analyzing the customers’ needs and wants. Students in the program are required to finish the business core curriculum as well as major-specific courses like Marketing Research, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Management, and International Marketing. Know more at manhattan.edu.

Acceptance Rate

73.62

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

One of the top public universities in the country, West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) is a public state university located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. WCU, with more than 180 academic opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels, is the largest of the state universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. 

The College of Business and Public Management at WCU offers several programs that aim for students to develop an understanding of the ethical concerns in making marketing decisions, use the most effective and appropriate business tools in developing, analyzing, and communicating information, and create a sense of awareness on the impact of global diversity on marketing decisions. The Bachelor of Science in Sales and Marketing is a program that combines general education with principles in the field of sales and marketing. Some of the program-specific courses are Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy and Planning, and Legal Environment of Business. Read more about the program at wcupa.edu.

Acceptance Rate

75.32

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

As part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, the Alfred State College of Technology (ASC) or simply Alfred State is a public college located in Alfred, New York. The college, established in 1945, offers 80 top-ranked majors and certificates in various fields of expertise at all degree levels such as skilled trades, nursing, business, healthcare, arts and sciences, and criminal justice. 

The Associate of Applied Science in Sales and Marketing at Alfred State is a 4-semester program that provides students with a strong background in communication, management,  advertising, accounting, industrial marketing, consumer behavior, and salesmanship. The curriculum also features courses on liberal arts to strengthen students’ foundation for the human relations aspects in the study of marketing. Students are expected to identify and describe primary theories within the functional areas of business, exhibit professional business communication, demonstrate critical thinking and effective decision-making, and recognize ethical issues within marketing. The courses in the curriculum include Principles of Marketing, Managerial Accounting, Financial Accounting, Advertising Principles, and Principles of Sales. For more information about the program, go to alfredstate.edu.

Acceptance Rate

66.74

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) is a public research university providing exceptional experiences and opportunities in a transformative learning community to more than 19,000 students. It is one of the top public universities in the country with a strong commitment to first-year programs that lead to success.

Offered by Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business at BGSU, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration offers specializations in Marketing, and Sales and Services Marketing. Students under the specialization in Sales and Services Marketing must finish three core courses in addition to the business core courses which include Introduction to Marketing Management course, writing courses, calculus courses, and electives in other related disciplines. Towards the end of the program, students in the program are required to finish an internship that can add to their practical experience in the field. There is also a Marketing minor available to all students except those already in the major program. Check more details at bgsu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

71.82

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Oklahoma Christian University (OC) is a private Christian university located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that transforms communities for Christian faith, scholarship, and public service. Started operating in 1950 as Central Christian College with only 97 students, the university has grown to 2,200 students enrolled in top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, engineering, business, and education.

The BBA in Marketing with Professional Selling Emphasis is a program that equips students with the basics of traditional marketing, sales, sales management, marketing research, and promotion. Specifically, the program develops students’ skills in recognizing and analyzing marketing problems from the perspective of the organization and external market. Students in the program are required to finish the business and marketing core courses, math and English courses, and specialization-specific courses like Media Marketing and Sales, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, and Social Psychology. To inquire about the program, go to oc.edu.

Acceptance Rate

66.55

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Located in East Farmingdale, New York, Farmingdale State College is a public technology college under the State University of New York System. The college is recognized as one of the best value colleges in the United States serving nearly 10,000 students with more than 43 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in the fields of criminal justice, arts and sciences, business, engineering, and health sciences.

The Business Management Department at Farmingdale provides comprehensive education and training to students by combining classroom instruction with valuable learning experiences through internships, presentations, and guest speakers. There are 4 certificate programs offered in Business Management namely Accounting, Marketing, Management, and International Business. The Marketing and Sales certificate consists of 5 courses in business and 7 courses in marketing which include Management Theory, Introduction to Business, Marketing Principles, Business Communications, Industrial Marketing, Salesmanship, and Advertising Principles. Students who plan to pursue a degree program are encouraged to take elective courses applicable to the degree program of their choice. Access the complete program curriculum at farmingdale.edu.

Acceptance Rate

54.89

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Tuskegee University is a private historically black land-grant university based in Tuskegee, Alabama offering programs focused on education and workforce preparation in sciences, professions, and technical areas. The Tuskegee campus is designated as a Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site by the  U. S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service.

The Sales and Marketing degree can be found under the Management program at Tuskegee College of Business and Information Science consists of foundational business courses and sales and marketing courses in consumer behavior, market research, international marketing, sales management, and professional selling. Students in the program are qualified for sales and marketing opportunities such as careers as a sales manager, sales representative, advertising coordinator, and retail manager. Throughout the program, students gain the ability to exhibit the required skills and knowledge in market research, analysis, decision-making, and product or service development to operate and control global economic and business systems. For further information, go to tuskegee.edu.

Acceptance Rate

51.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Based in Davenport, Iowa, St. Ambrose University (SAU) is a private Roman Catholic comprehensive university grounded in the liberal arts affiliated with the Diocese of Davenport. The university, established in 1882, is recognized as a College of Distinction for providing exceptional teaching, creating a vibrant community, and engaging students with the abundance of resources and experiences needed to become leaders in any and every field.

The Bachelor of Arts in Sales and Marketing at St. Ambrose is a program where students learn a great amount of business knowledge from taking core classes in accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, finance, business ethics, statistics, and management principles. The curriculum also includes courses in consumer behavior, international marketing, research, and strategy which can broaden students’ knowledge and develop critical thinking skills. There are also available electives in related fields like sales strategies, social media marketing, and sports marketing where students can choose from to fit their personal and academic interests. Graduates of the program commonly work in the fields of advertising, professional sales, market research as well as product management, industrial marketing, sales, or consulting. To learn more about the program, visit sau.edu.

Acceptance Rate

76.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

Founded in 1963 and named after its founder, Oral Roberts, Oral Roberts University (ORU) is a private evangelical liberal arts university in Tulsa, Oklahoma serving over 4,000 students from all around the world. The college integrates a solid liberal arts education into over 150 programs across different disciplines such as business, biological sciences, engineering, computer science, nursing, criminal justice, and theology.

ORU’s College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science in Sales and Marketing which focuses on the study of consumer behavior along with basic principles in sales and marketing. Throughout the program, students learn the practical aspects of marketing research, international marketing, principles of economics, consumer behavior, business communications, sales management, and financial management which can be applied in different industries. The program also has two concentrations in digital marketing and marketing analytics. There is also a fully-online program equivalent to the program above which provides a flexible schedule for busy professionals. More details are available at oru.edu.

Acceptance Rate

68.29

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

A member of the University of Wisconsin System, the University of Wisconsin - Stout (UW Stout) is a public university based in Menomonie, Wisconsin. The university enrolls over 9,600 students in the fields of social and behavioral sciences, applied mathematics and science, art and design, business and management, applied technologies, family and consumer sciences, and technical communication.

The BS in Sales and Marketing is conferred as an MBE or Marketing and Business Education at UW Stout.  This highly regarded program is offered on-campus and online to provide flexibility to students and professionals. The program curriculum satisfies teaching licensure requirements while providing in-depth instruction in the fields of business and marketing as well as general education studies. There are several options under the MBE program. Students may choose to enroll in the program which satisfies either the Marketing Education License, Business Education License, or both for a dual license. The online programs also have the same options as the on-campus programs. Graduates of either of the programs will be prepared to work in the field of business and industry as well as in academia. Explore the program requirements at uwstout.edu.

Acceptance Rate

90.54

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

Sponsored by the Adorers of the Blood of Christ since its opening in 1993, Newman University is a private Catholic university with its main campus in Wichita, Kansas, and outreach sites across Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The university aims to empower individuals to transform society through offering undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of arts and sciences, business, education, and social work, allied health, and Catholic studies.

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Sales and Marketing at Newman prepares students for exceptional career opportunities in different industries and organizations as a marketing professional. Throughout the program, students build a strong foundation of knowledge in marketing principles that they can apply during their internship in order to have actual experiences and create a portfolio. The 4-year program covers basic principles in business and marketing which are under courses like Marketing Strategy, Managing the Customer Experience, Consumer Behavior, and Integrated Marketing Communications. Check the entire program curriculum at newmanu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

67.47

Student to Faculty Ratio

11:1

With six campuses across Atlanta housing over 54,000 students, Georgia State University, simply Georgia State, is a public research university with its main campus in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1913, it is one of the 4 research universities under the University System of Georgia offering more than 100 fields of study across 11 colleges and schools.

The J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing as part of the Department of Marketing. The program introduces the fundamental concepts in general marketing and touches topics such as product development, markets and customer behavior, pricing strategies, advertising and promotion, and methods of distribution. Aside from the general education courses, students are required to complete courses specific to marketing and to their chosen specialization. The Emphasis in Sales and Sales Management under the program consists of courses such as Professional Selling, Marketing Research, Sales Management, International Marketing, Marketing Management, and Advanced Selling. There are also several courses designed for students to gain practical training and actual experiences such as Social Media Marketing, Advertising Campaigns, Systematic Creativity, and Marketing Strategy. To get started, visit robinson.gsu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

76.15

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

Best Sales Manager Degree

College degree programs for managers entering the sales field can be earned through direct degree programs or indirect degree programs.  A direct degree is a program designed specifically for sales managers while indirect programs teach a set of transferrable skills and foundational knowledge that can be utilized by sales professionals.  In addition to selecting a degree, students will need to select the learning modality that works best.  In other words, will it make sense to enroll in a distance learning program, classroom-based degree, or hybrid program.  Online degrees in sales management can be viable alternatives to help support a busy work schedule while earning a degree.  Likewise, a hybrid program provides the best of an online learning environment with scheduled times to physically meet in a classroom to share and collaborate with others.  The quick summaries below represent a cross-section of popular degree programs that you may want to consider for your career.

Sales Manager Certificate Programs

Certificate programs are a clustering of highly focused courses designed to provide students with relevant knowledge and skills.  A certificate in sales can be offered at the graduate or undergraduate level.  Undergraduate certificates offer foundational knowledge about psychology, persuasion and analytics. Graduate certificates, on the other hand, will then to focus more on case studies, deep analysis, strategy, and high-level management tools.

Sales Manager Associate Degrees

An associate degree in sales is designed to be completed in roughly two-years.  These degree programs fuse together general education courses with core classes to provide students with a well-rounded education and a set of integrative thinking skills.  General education classes will include classes such as history, psychology, philosophy, English composition, sociology, and creative writing.  Core classes will include a combination of business, statistics, finance, selling psychology, management, advertising, and marketing.  Associate degrees will be conferred as either an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS).

Sales Manager Bachelor Degrees

Online bachelor degrees in sales management can be earned from top ranked universities in around four years.  Much like an associate degree, a bachelor degree will include a combination of liberal arts classes and core curricula.  By blending core classes with general education courses, students will begin to develop holistic thinking skills needed to solve complex problems and think differently about the world around them.  Bachelor degree attainment recently reached an all-time high with over 33% of working adults holding such a degree.  As more and more companies require a formal degree, a bachelor degree may be a viable path for your career and vocational objectives.

Educational Requirements for Sales Professionals

In terms of educational requirements, Sales and Sales Manager degree holders will have typically studied the following courses while in college:

Skills & Abilities Required in Sales

  1. Speech Clarity
  2. Oral Expression
  3. Oral Comprehension
  4. Speech Recognition
  5. Speaking
  6. Instructing
  7. Reading Comprehension
  8. Active Listening
  9. Writing
  10. Written Comprehension

How to Become a Sales Manager

According to the governments data gathered by the ONet division, over 90% of sales managers have a formal college degree.  To become a sales manager, you will need a formal education coupled with substantive work experience.  Experience in the field or industry will depend on the organization type, your work ethic, education, industry, and geographic location.  In many cases a supervisor in sales will start within an organization as a sales representative.  Examples may include a sales analyst, retail sales, wholesale sales, purchasing agents, manufacturing sales, account executive, and sales agent.

Sales professional will need to be focused on continuous improvement and learn about their product, service, and customer perpetually.  This growth mindset mentality has a scientific basis to help professions continue to evolve over time and remain competitive in their given industry.   Professionals will also need to possess an innate tenacity, exceptional communication skills, deep customer service knowledge, analytical skills, leadership qualities, organization skills, and mastery of time management.

Schools Other Students Requested Information From:

Employment Information & Sales Specializations

For students that earn a college degree in Sales and Sales Manager, there are several fields of specialization that one can pursue.  The options range from advertising, marketing, promotions, market research, public relations, retail sales, sales management, sales engineer, wholesale representative, manufacturing sales representative, and sales training in the public or private domain to name a few possible career tracks.

What Does a Sales Manager Do?

A sales manager is responsible for managing a group of sales people or sales teams within an organization.  Job duties of a supervisor in the sales department will vary by job and industry but will likely include the following areas of responsibility:

  • Setting short-term and long-term goals for sales teams and sales representatives
  • Resolving a variety of customer complaints regarding service, products, and sales
  • Creating a strategic customer acquisition plan including digital techniques, direct sales, referral marketing, cold calling, and B2B marketing
  • Establishing appropriate sales territories, schedules, sales quotas, and milestones
  • Preparing reports, budgets, and expenditures
  • Analyzing data and parsing information to ensure milestones are met
  • Forecasting sales numbers and associated profitability of services and products
  • Establishing pricing, specials, and discounts as appropriate
  • Developing, planning, and coordinating training programs for sales members
  • Managing customer engagement and products to help assess sales goals
  • Recruiting, training, retaining sales associated as related to demand and growth trajectory
Where Do Sales Managers Work?

Sales professionals can work in virtually any industry in any sector of the economy. Industries that tend to employ the most sales people include private management companies, auto dealerships, electronics, computer systems, and commercial equipment wholesalers.  States that employ the most sales people is spread across the country with no specific geographic clustering.  The table below represents the top 5 states that employ the most managers in the sales field.

  • California          69,180
  • Illinois                24,150
  • Texas                 22,310
  • New York          20,170
  • Georgia              15,460

Job Growth, Salary, and Related Sales Fields

Industry growth in this management position is expected to grow at a 7% clip which is on par with the national average for all jobs across all industries.  In terms of jobs, this growth projection represents just under 30,000 new jobs for supervisors in the sales industry over next decade.

The job growth in the greater Sales and Sales Manager domain are well above average.  For example, the rate of job growth for marketing manager is expected to rise 9% through 2024 and for market research analyst 19% growth rate is expected during the same period.  Given the broad nature of the Sales and Sales Manager degree, compensation after graduation can vary greatly from career field to career field given prior experience and geographic location.  Related fields include teaching, research, marketing, advertising, and training.

How Much Do Sales Managers Make?

The data found from the BLS reveals the mean annual wage of a sales manager is $135,090 which is nearly three times the national average.  The top 25% of managers make $168,300 a year while the bottom ten percent make just under eighty thousand dollars on an annual basis.  Top paying industries for sales professionals includes the following industries: Financial Brokers & Securities, Oil & Gas, Investment Managers, Legal, and Commodities Brokers.  Mean annual wages for each respective industry is listed below to provide an understanding of the compensation by sector.

  • Financial Brokers & Securities   $217,950
  • Oil & Gas                                         $201,310
  • Investment Managers                  $200,250
  • Legal                                                $185,330
  • Commodities Brokers                  $179,590

The top paying states for professionals in the sales field include New York at $196,770 a year followed by Delaware and Virginia at $178,450 and $167,280 respectively.  To round out the top five, Virginia is followed by New Jersey at $157,580 and Connecticut at $155,090 for mean annual wages.

Additional Resources for Sales Managers
  • The Sales Management Association (SMA)
  • National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
  • Sales Lead Management Association (SLMA)
  • National Sales Network (NSN)
  • American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AAISP)
  • Professional Sales Association (PSA)
  • Strategic Account Management Association (SAMA)
  • Sales Management Association (SMA)
  • Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI)

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