Highest-Paying Jobs in Sales (2026)

Sales Engineer tops this list at $124,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +5.5% projected employment change over 2024–2034. Below are 21 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.

Every occupation in the SOC sales and related group, from sales engineer to cashier, ranked by national median wage.

Careers on this list
21

From 923 in the bank

Median pay on the list
$50,160

BLS OEWS, May 2025

Projected to grow
11 of 21

BLS EP, 2024–2034

Openings a year
1,770,600

Combined, BLS EP

How we built this list

  • Included when the occupation sits in the "sales and related" SOC major group (41-0000).
  • Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. BLS medians include commission, but they are a national middle figure: individual earnings in commission-based sales vary far more than the median suggests.
  • BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over.
  • Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
  • The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.

The top 21 highest-paying jobs in sales

38% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.

  1. 1. Sales Engineer

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $124,900
    Growth
    +5.5%
    Openings/yr
    5,000
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  2. Median pay
    $104,920
    Growth
    +1.9%
    Openings/yr
    27,200
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postseconda…

    Sales Representative, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Product salary & outlook →
  3. 3. First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $87,520
    Growth
    0.0%
    Openings/yr
    24,800
    Education
    High school

    Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  4. Median pay
    $78,660
    Growth
    +3.3%
    Openings/yr
    38,100
    Education
    Bachelor's

    Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals.

    Security, Commodity, and Financial Services Sales Agent salary & outlook →
  5. 5. Real Estate Broker

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $73,220
    Growth
    +3.3%
    Openings/yr
    9,700
    Education
    High school

    Operate real estate office, or work for commercial real estate firm, overseeing real estate transactions.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  6. Median pay
    $72,080
    Growth
    +0.3%
    Openings/yr
    114,800
    Education
    High school

    Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals.

    Sales Representative, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products salary & outlook →
  7. 7. Sales Representative of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $69,990
    Growth
    +3.1%
    Openings/yr
    123,000
    Education
    High school

    Sell services to individuals or businesses.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  8. 8. Advertising Sales Agent

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $64,820
    Growth
    -6.4%
    Openings/yr
    9,300
    Education
    High school

    Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  9. 9. Insurance Sales Agent

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $62,280
    Growth
    +3.7%
    Openings/yr
    47,000
    Education
    High school

    Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance.

    Insurance Sales Agent salary & outlook →
  10. 10. Real Estate Agent

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $52,830
    Growth
    +3.1%
    Openings/yr
    36,600
    Education
    High school

    Rent, buy, or sell property for clients.

    Real Estate Agent salary & outlook →
  11. 11. Travel Agent

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $50,160
    Growth
    +2.2%
    Openings/yr
    7,100
    Education
    High school

    Plan and sell transportation and accommodations for customers.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  12. 12. First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $48,520
    Growth
    -5.0%
    Openings/yr
    125,100
    Education
    High school

    Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  13. 13. Model

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $48,470
    Growth
    -0.5%
    Openings/yr
    1,200
    Education
    No formal credential

    Model garments or other apparel and accessories for prospective buyers at fashion shows, private showings, or retail establishments.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  14. 14. Door-to-Door Sales Worker, News and Street Vendor, and Related Worker

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $41,380
    Growth
    -10.0%
    Openings/yr
    2,700
    Education
    No formal credential

    Sell goods or services door-to-door or on the street.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  15. 15. Counter and Rental Clerk

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $41,300
    Growth
    +3.2%
    Openings/yr
    45,900
    Education
    No formal credential

    Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  16. 16. Demonstrator and Product Promoter

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $39,320
    Growth
    -0.1%
    Openings/yr
    14,000
    Education
    No formal credential

    Demonstrate merchandise and answer questions for the purpose of creating public interest in buying the product.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  17. 17. Parts Salesperson

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $38,630
    Growth
    +3.1%
    Openings/yr
    30,200
    Education
    No formal credential

    Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.

    Parts Salesperson salary & outlook →
  18. 18. Gambling Change Person and Booth Cashier

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $36,220
    Growth
    -6.4%
    Openings/yr
    4,000
    Education
    No formal credential

    Exchange coins, tokens, and chips for patrons' money.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  19. 19. Telemarketer

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $35,450
    Growth
    -22.1%
    Openings/yr
    6,500
    Education
    No formal credential

    Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.

    Full page coming in the next tranche. Data shown here is from the same bank.

  20. 20. Retail Salesperson

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $35,410
    Growth
    -0.5%
    Openings/yr
    555,800
    Education
    No formal credential

    Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

    Retail Salesperson salary & outlook →
  21. 21. Cashier

    Sales and Related

    Median pay
    $32,880
    Growth
    -9.9%
    Openings/yr
    542,600
    Education
    No formal credential

    Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions.

    Cashier salary & outlook →

Highest-Paying Jobs in Sales: FAQ

What is the top career on the highest-paying jobs in sales list?

Sales Engineer leads the list with a median wage of $124,900 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +5.5% over 2024–2034. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.

How was this list put together?

Every occupation in the SOC sales and related group, from sales engineer to cashier, ranked by national median wage. Included when the occupation sits in the "sales and related" SOC major group (41-0000). Ranked by national median annual wage from BLS OEWS. BLS medians include commission, but they are a national middle figure: individual earnings in commission-based sales vary far more than the median suggests. BLS publishes one wage per occupation code, and several O*NET job titles can share a code. Only one title per code is listed, so the same wage does not appear over and over. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET 30.3 Database.

How much do highest-paying jobs in sales pay?

Across the 21 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $50,160 a year, from $32,880 at the bottom to $124,900 at the top (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.

How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?

18 of the 21 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034).