Sales Director Salary

By Henry R. Steele - January 8, 2018
Reading Time: 11 minutes

The following article discusses the career path of Sales Director. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Sales Directors.

Job Duties

Sales directors direct the overall sales team. They may do this for the company as a whole, or for a branding or regional division. They set the vision and guide their team so that they are able to execute the expected sales quotas for the company’s products or services. Furthermore, they often direct marketing initiatives and sales campaigns. They line manage a sales manager or a team of sales managers, ensuring they can lead the teams directly. They also set the standards and direction for how sales personnel is trained.

A sales director is an executive who has a lot of influence on the company’s various sales initiatives. This means that they examine and approve sales projections, focus on budgets, and ensure sales campaigns are properly costed and approved. They also oversee large sales campaigns that influence multiple teams, reporting on the results to senior management, including the board or directors.

It is very important that a sales director achieves consistent standards among all the people they lead. They do this by building relationships with individual line managers, ensuring that the appropriate hiring policies and procedures are followed. They also hold quality interviews, ensuring that a standard for excellence is set across every level of the organization, including training. They follow up on identified issues, particularly during performance reviews.

Typically, sales directors work closely with logistics, supply, branding, and marketing teams. This ensures that the various departments that have interlinking roles operate in an efficient manner.

Other job duties of a sales director include:

  • Directing and planning activities for the sales force in an effort to drive profit across all market segments.
  • Ensuring that the sales volume is at maximum potential across all market segments.
  • Ensuring that all sales strategies, promotional programs, advertising efforts, and other plans are properly executed
  • Acting as a point of contact for customers and key markets, thereby further increasing volume of sales.

    • – Line managing other members of staff to ensure they are able to meet the organization’s various goals and objectives.

    Where We Work

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 385,500 sales managers in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:

    • Wholesale trade: 20%
    • Retail trade: 18%
    • Manufacturing: 12%
    • Professional, scientific, and technical services: 10%
    • Finance and insurance: 9%

    How to Become

    A sales director usually has at least a bachelor’s degree. They also have many years’ experience, generally coming from a sales representative background.

    Education Requirements

    Usually, a sales director will have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum. The subject of this degree varies, but it is preferred for them to have completed courses in statistics, marketing, mathematics, finance, accounting, economics, management, and business law. Work experience is usually of greater importance than education, however. Often, they will have at least five years of experience in the field.

    Typically, sales directors grow into their position, coming from occupations relating to sales. They may have been a purchasing agent, a manufacturing or wholesale sales representative, or a retail sales worker, for instance. They are then usually promoted to sales manager internally and, eventually, to the position of director of sales.

    Traits & Qualities

    The most effective sales directors have the following traits to some degree or other:

    • Strong analytical skills
    • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
    • Great customer service skills
    • Strong leadership skills

    Minimum Education

    Bachelor’s Degree

    National Salary

    The national average salary estimate for Sales Director was $107,659. This number is estimated from over 2,258,924 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $56.07 and monthly of $8,972.

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    $21,000

    $260,000

    Salary Distribution

    Salary by State

    The following section lists Sales Director salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $135,424 while Maine had the smallest quoted salary of $59,308.

    Alabama Massachusetts Ohio
    Arkansas Maryland Oklahoma
    Arizona Maine Oregon
    California Michigan Pennsylvania
    Colorado Minnesota Rhode Island
    Connecticut Missouri South Carolina
    DC Mississippi South Dakota
    Delaware Montana Tennessee
    Florida North Carolina Texas
    Georgia North Dakota Utah
    Iowa Nebraska Virginia
    Illinois New Hampshire Vermont
    Indiana New Jersey Washington
    Kansas Nevada Wisconsin
    Louisiana New York Wyoming
    Alabama – $63,235 Rank: 43rd

    The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sahara Intl., Holiday Inn, Hampton Inn Fairhope – Mobile Bay, and Cube Management.

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    $14,000

    $172,000

    Salary Distribution
    Arkansas – $90,125 Rank: 33rd

    The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, La Quinta Inns & Suites, Department of Parks and Tourism, and Cameron Smith & Associates.

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    $17,000

    $222,000

    Salary Distribution
    Arizona – $91,190 Rank: 31st

    The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AppleOne, Cube Management, Life Science Company, and Aerotek.

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    $17,000

    $223,000

    Salary Distribution
    California – $118,923 Rank: 5th

    The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like hc1.com, LED Lighting Fixture Company, Manufacturing / Diversified Company, and Bloom Consulting Services, LLC..

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    $26,000

    $279,000

    Salary Distribution
    Colorado – $115,154 Rank: 8th

    The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LED Lighting Fixture Company, Nigel Frank International, Bleum Inc., US, and Strategic Ventures.

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    $24,000

    $273,000

    Salary Distribution
    Connecticut – $104,542 Rank: 19th

    The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Yorhealth (Health & Wellness), Marshall Hotels & Resorts, CPG, and Contract Staffing Recruiters.

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    $22,000

    $249,000

    Salary Distribution
    DC – $135,424 Rank: 1st

    The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AAA NationalUSA, Inc, Ed Wallach Search Group LLC, Great Bay Staffing, and Dynamic Federal Solutions Inc..

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    $30,000

    $316,000

    Salary Distribution
    Delaware – $120,967 Rank: 4th

    The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Professional Recruiting Partners, LLC.

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    $31,000

    $268,000

    Salary Distribution
    Florida – $87,528 Rank: 35th

    The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LED Lighting Fixture Company, SaaS and Digital Banking Solutions, Strategic Ventures, and DSR.

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    $17,000

    $214,000

    Salary Distribution
    Georgia – $106,813 Rank: 15th

    The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Atlanco, Atlanco, Inc, Wilmot and Associates, and ProVision.

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    $24,000

    $249,000

    Salary Distribution
    Iowa – $108,161 Rank: 11th

    The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Executive Technologies, Inc. and Combined Insurance.

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    $29,000

    $236,000

    Salary Distribution
    Illinois – $115,175 Rank: 7th

    The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Resume Library, Strategic Ventures, Quantum Leap Recruitment Specialists, and Sales Empowerment Group.

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    $25,000

    $271,000

    Salary Distribution
    Indiana – $106,952 Rank: 13th

    The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like hc1.com, CyberCoders, Aegis Worldwide, LLC, and Hatfield Copper Decor.

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    $21,000

    $259,000

    Salary Distribution
    Kansas – $95,470 Rank: 29th

    The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Advastar, Specialists Group LLC, The, Strategic Ventures, and CyberCoders.

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    $20,000

    $227,000

    Salary Distribution
    Louisiana – $75,840 Rank: 39th

    The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cube Management and Franchise Career Advisors.

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    $14,000

    $199,000

    Salary Distribution
    Massachusetts – $127,588 Rank: 2nd

    The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like hc1.com, Diedre Moire, Brightergy, and Strategic Ventures.

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    $30,000

    $291,000

    Salary Distribution
    Maryland – $95,756 Rank: 27th

    The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Millman Search Group, Hilton, Gecko Hospitality, and Point3 Security.

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    $15,000

    $250,000

    Salary Distribution
    Maine – $59,308 Rank: 45th

    The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Goodwin Recruiting and Summer Homes LLC.

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    $14,000

    $147,000

    Salary Distribution
    Michigan – $115,614 Rank: 6th

    The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Harper Associates, Strategic Ventures, Nigel Frank International, and Michael Page.

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    $30,000

    $257,000

    Salary Distribution
    Minnesota – $110,557 Rank: 9th

    The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Minnesota, Nigel Frank International, Executive Recruiting Services, Inc., and Feggestad & Hill, Inc..

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    $22,000

    $269,000

    Salary Distribution
    Missouri – $101,366 Rank: 22nd

    The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Personnel Services, Inc., Varsity Tutors, Maritz Inc., and Accounting Career Network.

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    $21,000

    $242,000

    Salary Distribution
    Mississippi – $72,481 Rank: 40th

    The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Schulte Hospitality Group, Nuance Production Services, and Gecko Hospitality.

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    $14,000

    $177,000

    Salary Distribution
    Montana – $64,711 Rank: 41st

    The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Next Move Hospitality Search and Ranches at Belt Creek.

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    $14,000

    $153,000

    Salary Distribution
    North Carolina – $99,284 Rank: 23rd

    The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HireNetworks, Clinical Research Technology Solutions, Strategic Ventures, and Lucas Select.

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    $20,000

    $237,000

    Salary Distribution
    North Dakota – $61,129 Rank: 44th

    The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Staybridge Suites Minot.

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    $14,000

    $183,000

    Salary Distribution
    Nebraska – $77,621 Rank: 38th

    The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sylvan Learning of Nebraska.

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    $14,000

    $214,000

    Salary Distribution
    New Hampshire – $104,225 Rank: 20th

    The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders, Disha Outsourcing Pvt. Ltd, and Brook Street USA.

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    $33,000

    $213,000

    Salary Distribution
    New Jersey – $107,190 Rank: 12th

    The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Holiday Inn, Porter Group, ITC Infotech, and CyberCoders.

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    $23,000

    $254,000

    Salary Distribution
    Nevada – $91,002 Rank: 32nd

    The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gaming Recruiters, Gecko Hospitality, Vushorus, and Holiday Inn.

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    $17,000

    $224,000

    Salary Distribution
    New York – $125,395 Rank: 3rd

    The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TTS Media, NationStaff, Strategic Ventures, and Cameron Craig Group.

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    $28,000

    $293,000

    Salary Distribution
    Ohio – $95,942 Rank: 26th

    The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like hc1.com, LED Lighting Fixture Company, Rich Water Consulting Inc, and Software, Professional Services and Hardware.

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    $17,000

    $240,000

    Salary Distribution
    Oklahoma – $93,772 Rank: 30th

    The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catapult Staffing, Home2Suites, CIG, and Corporate Image Group.

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    $19,000

    $225,000

    Salary Distribution
    Oregon – $96,661 Rank: 25th

    The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CNA Executive Search, Advocate Staffing, HelloFresh, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

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    $21,000

    $228,000

    Salary Distribution
    Pennsylvania – $106,820 Rank: 14th

    The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like hc1.com, Nigel Frank International, Strategic Ventures, and Verne Johnson & Associates Inc..

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    $20,000

    $263,000

    Salary Distribution
    Rhode Island – $97,752 Rank: 24th

    The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like New England Institute of Technology.

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    $22,000

    $226,000

    Salary Distribution
    South Carolina – $81,105 Rank: 36th

    The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Corporate Hiring Solutions and Franchise Career Advisors.

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    $16,000

    $197,000

    Salary Distribution
    South Dakota – $88,483 Rank: 34th

    The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Franchise Career Advisors.

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    $31,000

    $173,000

    Salary Distribution
    Tennessee – $79,494 Rank: 37th

    The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Icon Shears, NaviRetail, Idlecreek Hospitality Associates, and AppleOne.

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    $14,000

    $210,000

    Salary Distribution
    Texas – $105,673 Rank: 18th

    The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like hc1.com, Leading Digital Health and Welllness Company, LED Lighting Fixture Company, and Dell.

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    $20,000

    $258,000

    Salary Distribution
    Utah – $95,664 Rank: 28th

    The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cranium Cafe, Mason Frank, and CyberCoders.

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    $20,000

    $226,000

    Salary Distribution
    Virginia – $106,614 Rank: 17th

    The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nigel Frank International, Strategic Ventures, Diedre Moire, and G2A Executive Search.

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    $19,000

    $265,000

    Salary Distribution
    Vermont – $102,839 Rank: 21st

    The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CyberCoders and Franchise Career Advisors.

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    $30,000

    $219,000

    Salary Distribution
    Washington – $106,655 Rank: 16th

    The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LA Fitness, Goodwin Recruiting, hc1.com, and Strategic Ventures.

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    $22,000

    $256,000

    Salary Distribution
    Wisconsin – $110,193 Rank: 10th

    The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cameron Craig Group, Client Staffing Solutions, Ploeger Recruiting Services, and Bertram & Associates.

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    $24,000

    $260,000

    Salary Distribution
    Wyoming – $64,526 Rank: 42nd

    The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like GRN-Soutlake and Ramada Gillette.

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    $14,000

    $153,000

    Salary Distribution

    Top 20 National Employers

    According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Sales Director. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.

    Employer Name Location Average Salary
    Ed Wallach Search Group LLC DC $300,000
    Maritz Inc. Missouri $300,000
    Nigel Frank International Maryland $284,083
    hc1.com Massachusetts $275,000
    Leading Digital Health and Welllness Company Texas $259,808
    Clinical Research Technology Solutions North Carolina $259,234
    LED Lighting Fixture Company Texas $252,779
    Rich Water Consulting Inc Ohio $250,000
    Software, Professional Services and Hardware Ohio $250,000

    Learn More

    Related Careers

    Career Name Average Salary
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    Business Intelligence Manager $109,552
    Investment Manager $108,746
    Director of Sales $108,014
    Tax Manager $107,133
    Risk Manager $103,743
    Technical Project Manager $100,971
    Director of Finance $99,996
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Henry R. Steele
Henry R. Steele
Managing Editor
Henry is Managing Editor of BusinessStudent.com. He is a seasoned business professional who regularly consults with local business's throughout Southern California. Henry pursued his undergrad in Business and Economics at the University of San Diego and gained valuable life changing experience through a unique internship upon graduation.Follow on Twitter.com

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