Mid-Level

Salesman

The revenue generator — selling products and services across various contexts from solar to wholesale to retail.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
R
I
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Salesmans
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Salesman

As a Salesman, you drive revenue by selling products or services to customers. Whether you're selling solar systems to homeowners, wholesale goods to businesses, retail products to consumers, or services to various clients, your job is finding buyers and closing deals.

Your day involves some combination of prospecting, customer meetings, presentations, negotiation, and closing. The specific activities depend on what you're selling and to whom. Some sales are quick transactions; others are extended consultations. You need to understand your products, know your customers, and be effective at moving prospects through the buying process.

The challenge is that everything comes down to results. Salesmanship is ultimately measured in revenue. You can do everything "right" and still have a bad month if deals don't close. Success requires consistent effort, continuous improvement, and the mental toughness to push through slow periods.

RelationshipsModerate
AchievementModerate
IndependenceModerate
SupportLower
Working ConditionsLower
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Product typeCustomer segmentSales cycleCompensation modelTerritory
Sales roles vary completely by context. Solar sales to homeowners involves consultative in-home presentations. B2B wholesale requires relationship building and product expertise. Retail is transaction-focused. Service sales might be recurring or project-based. Each context has different success factors and skills requirements.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Salesmans (SOC 41-2031.00, 41-3091.00, 41-4011.07, 41-4012.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Salesman career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Sales fundamentals
Core skills — prospecting, presenting, closing — transfer everywhere
2
Product expertise
Deep knowledge builds customer trust
3
Self-management
Successful salespeople manage their time and pipeline systematically
What products or services would I be selling?
What does the typical sales process look like?
How is compensation structured?
What training and support is provided?
What do top performers earn?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$26K–$195K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
6.6M
U.S. Employment
+1.2%
10yr Growth
821K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingSpeakingActive ListeningPersuasionNegotiationSocial PerceptivenessPersuasionActive ListeningSpeakingService Orientation
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-2031.0041-3091.0041-4011.0741-4012.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.