Career Paths From Sales Managers

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Marketing ManagersLateral Move97.8% skill match
Sales Managers and Marketing Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Marketing Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 12% higher.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$166,790
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Advertising and Promotions ManagersLateral Move97.8% skill match
Sales Managers and Advertising and Promotions Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Advertising and Promotions Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 10% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$133,660
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Purchasing ManagersLateral Move97% skill match
Sales Managers and Purchasing Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Purchasing Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$148,080
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Chief ExecutivesAdvancement97% skill match
Sales Managers and Chief Executives share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Chief Executives is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 4). Median salary is about 44% higher.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$213,990
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
5
Financial ManagersLateral Move98.2% skill match
Sales Managers and Financial Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Financial Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 12% higher.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$166,570
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersCareer Change98% skill match
Sales Managers and First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 41% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$87,520
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Medical and Health Services ManagersLateral Move96.8% skill match
Sales Managers and Medical and Health Services Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Medical and Health Services Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 16% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$123,860
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Human Resources ManagersLateral Move97.9% skill match
Sales Managers and Human Resources Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Human Resources Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$149,280
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Training and Development ManagersLateral Move97.1% skill match
Sales Managers and Training and Development Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Training and Development Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 10% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$133,000
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Fundraising ManagersLateral Move96.7% skill match
Sales Managers and Fundraising Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Fundraising Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 15% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$125,470
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Compensation and Benefits ManagersLateral Move97% skill match
Sales Managers and Compensation and Benefits Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Compensation and Benefits Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$149,230
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
FundraisersCareer Change96.7% skill match
Sales Managers and Fundraisers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Fundraisers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 51% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$72,550
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except GamblingLateral Move97.2% skill match
Sales Managers and Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 46% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$79,520
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Social and Community Service ManagersLateral Move97.4% skill match
Sales Managers and Social and Community Service Managers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Social and Community Service Managers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 46% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$80,390
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4
Meeting, Convention, and Event PlannersCareer Change97.2% skill match
Sales Managers and Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 59% lower.
Current median salary
$148,270
Target median salary
$61,160
Current Job Zone
4
Target Job Zone
4

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.