Sales Occupations
Employment of sales and related occupations is projected to grow 5 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations, which will result in about 778,000 new jobs.
The median annual wage for sales and related occupations was $26,590 in May 2016, which was lower than the median annual wage for all occupations of $37,040.
| OCCUPATION | JOB SUMMARY | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION  |
2016 MEDIAN PAY |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Advertising Sales Agents |
Advertising sales agents sell advertising space to businesses and individuals. They contact potential clients, make sales presentations, and maintain client accounts. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $50,380 |
|
Cashiers |
Cashiers process payments from customers purchasing goods and services. |
No formal educational credential | $20,180 |
|
Insurance Sales Agents |
Insurance sales agents contact potential customers and sell one or more types of insurance. Insurance sales agents explain various insurance policies and help clients choose plans that suit them. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $49,990 |
|
Models |
Models pose for artists, customers, or photographers to help advertise a variety of products, including clothing, cosmetics, food, and appliances. |
No formal educational credential | $21,870 |
|
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents |
Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Although brokers and agents do similar work, brokers are licensed to manage their own real estate businesses. Sales agents must work with a real estate broker. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $46,410 |
|
Retail Sales Workers |
Retail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of retail sales workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments. |
No formal educational credential | $22,900 |
|
Sales Engineers |
Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. They must have extensive knowledge of the products’ parts and functions and must understand the scientific processes that make these products work. |
Bachelor's degree | $100,000 |
|
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents |
Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents connect buyers and sellers in financial markets. They sell securities to individuals, advise companies in search of investors, and conduct trades. |
Bachelor's degree | $67,310 |
|
Travel Agents |
Travel agents sell transportation, lodging, and entertainment activities to individuals and groups planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries, and make travel arrangements for clients. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $36,460 |
|
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives |
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. They contact customers, explain product features, answer any questions that their customers may have, and negotiate prices. |
See How to Become One | $60,530 |
Publish Date: Thursday, December 17, 2015
