<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How We Define \u2018Highest-Paying Sales Jobs\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First, what does “highest-paying sales jobs” really mean? We used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a> (BLS) and O*Net<\/a> to find median salaries for typical sales roles. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for all occupations is $48,060. This list shares positions with a median yearly salary higher than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember that these salaries may vary by location and company; for example, someone in New York City may have a higher-paying sales job than someone in a place with a lower cost of living. Sales professionals also tend to have more variable salaries because commission often factors into their total compensation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Experience a day in the life in sales and build key sales skills top employers are looking for. In this job simulation, you'll analyze sales data and handle customer objections to meet your targets.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t1-2 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tData analysis, data presentation, communication, strategy, overcoming objections, account management\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t So, what are the highest-paying sales jobs out there? Here are jobs to consider if you’re looking for a lucrative sales role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Median pay: <\/strong>$56,620<\/a> Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients find properties they can buy, rent, or sell. For example, if a couple is looking to buy their first home, a real estate broker or sales agent might search for properties that fit their needs and budget, go with them to see properties, and help advise them on pricing and the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most real estate brokers and sales agents work for themselves and often work independently. Because they work directly with clients, they also need impeccable interpersonal skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To become a real estate broker or sales agent, you’ll typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, then need to get your license. The requirements for licensing vary by state, but you’ll likely need to complete pre-licensing courses and pass an exam. You’ll also need to renew your license every few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Median pay: <\/strong>$59,080<\/a> Insurance sales agents sell types of insurance. For example, they may sell property and casualty insurance to help people protect themselves from financial loss from a car accident or fire in their home. They may sell life insurance and work to pay beneficiaries when a policyholder dies. Insurance sales agents may specialize in a specific type of insurance or sell multiple types of insurance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Communication skills<\/a> are key for insurance sales agents, who need to work directly with clients to help them find the best policies. However, they also need to be business-savvy, as many insurance sales agents are responsible for finding new clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll need a high school diploma to become an insurance sales agent. Some employers may prefer a bachelor’s degree, especially if you majored in something related to business. You’ll also need to be licensed in your state; to get a license, you’ll need to complete some courses and pass an exam on insurance basics and laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Median pay: <\/strong>$61,270<\/a> Advertising sales agents sell advertising space to clients on social media, in a newspaper, on television, or online. They work directly with clients to pitch them on how the advertising space can help promote their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Experience a day in the life working in advertising sales as you create a stellar advertising sales proposal for a potential client at the New York Times.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t2-3 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWritten communication, research, presentation, stakeholder management, project management\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Customer service skills like communication, responsiveness, and active listening<\/a> are crucial to this field. Advertising sales agents spend most of their time working with clients, trying to sell them advertising packages that fit their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll need a high school diploma to become an advertising sales agent, but some employers may prefer a bachelor’s degree. Having a background in marketing<\/a>, communications, or business can be helpful. However, most advertising sales agents receive on-the-job training, typically by shadowing an experienced professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n >>MORE:<\/strong> <\/strong>Sales and Marketing: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for Me?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Median pay: <\/strong>$73,080<\/a> Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods to businesses and other organizations. They may sell food, office supplies, mechanical equipment, or pharmaceutical goods. These professionals are responsible for the entire sales process, from identifying and meeting potential customers to offering sales packages and negotiating contracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like many sales roles, this career path requires stellar interpersonal skills. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives not only need to find potential clients but also make the sale to them and ensure that they’re happy with their purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The requirements for becoming a wholesale and manufacturing sales representative vary based on the type of products you sell. For example, you can typically sell nonscientific products with a high school diploma but may need a bachelor’s degree for technical products. Many companies provide on-the-job training for these professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Experience a day as a manufacturing sales representative. You'll create a selling pitch to use with a store manager to secure the placement of an incremental display.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t2-3 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCustomer skills, influence, managing team members, acting as an owner, relationship building\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Median pay: <\/strong>$76,900<\/a> Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents work in financial markets, helping both individuals and institutions make investment decisions. These professionals, often called brokers<\/a> or investment bankers<\/a>, connect buyers and sellers in financial markets, sell securities to individuals, advise companies on funding, and provide guidance on investment strategies. They may work with stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other financial products, helping clients build and manage their investment portfolios while staying compliant with financial regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To be a successful securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent, you need both analytical and interpersonal skills. You’ll need to analyze market conditions, understand complex financial products, and explain them clearly to clients. Additionally, you’ll need excellent communication and sales skills to build trust with clients, network effectively, and maintain long-term relationships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Becoming a securities, commodities, or financial services sales agent requires a bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, or a related field. Many employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree for advanced positions. Beyond education, these professionals must obtain appropriate licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which usually requires sponsorship from their employer and passing several exams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Median pay: <\/strong>$99,710<\/a> Solar sales representatives and assessors sell solar energy solutions to homeowners and businesses. They evaluate properties for their potential for solar energy, design customized solar systems, and help clients adopt solar energy in their homes or businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll need technical knowledge and sales acumen to succeed as a solar sales representative or assessor. It’s essential to understand the solar technology you’re selling \u2014 but also be able to explain that knowledge to potential clients and sell them on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Breaking into solar sales typically requires a high school diploma, though many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or environmental science. These professionals also often get on-the-job training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Median pay: <\/strong>$116,950<\/a> Sales engineers are salespeople who sell technical products to individuals or businesses, such as software. Unlike traditional salespeople, they need to understand the engineering aspects of their products to explain their technical advantages to other engineers, executives, and decision-makers. They often work with products like advanced machinery, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, industrial robotics, or sophisticated software systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The role demands a unique skill set that bridges engineering and sales competencies. Sales engineers must possess strong technical problem-solving abilities and analytical skills<\/a> to understand their products and customers’ technical challenges. They also need exceptional communication skills to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences and sell their audiences on products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sales engineer role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field. Many employers provide comprehensive training programs covering technical product knowledge and sales techniques. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\t Experience a day in the life of a sales engineer. First, learn about HPE technology, then identify potential customers to whom to sell that technology.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/red-bull-internships-150x100.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRed Bull On-Premise Sales<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
9 Highest-Paying Sales Jobs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook: <\/strong>2% (slower than average)<\/p>\n\n\n\nInsurance Sales Agents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook:<\/strong> 6% (faster than average)<\/p>\n\n\n\nAdvertising Sales Agents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook: <\/strong>-7% (decline)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/The-New-York-Times-logo-150x83.jpg\"){kind=logo}
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe New York Times Advertising Sales<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook: <\/strong>1% (Slower than average)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Depositphotos_286627848_XL-150x100.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPepsiCo Sales<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook: <\/strong>7% (faster than average)<\/p>\n\n\n\nSolar Sales Representatives and Assessors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook: <\/strong>3 to 5% (as fast as average)<\/p>\n\n\n\nSales Engineers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Job outlook: <\/strong>6% (faster than average)<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"hewlett](\"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/working-at-hewlett-packard-enterprise-150x84.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHPE Digital Sales<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t