11 Of The Best Sales Jobs [2024]

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Table Of Contents

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If you have an uncanny ability to persuade people and are excited about hitting company goals, you may want to explore the best sales jobs. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and compiled a list of career options to consider. So read on to discover your professional future!

QuickStart Guide To Landing A Sales Job

  1. Polish your resume. Getting a high paying job in sales is competitive. Think about it like this: you’re selling the company on a major investment in you, so you need to do everything you can to get an edge. Investing a little money to have a professional resume writing service polish up your resume can be the edge you need. Check out our guide to the best resume writing services to get started today.
  2. Join a like-minded community. Rather than scrolling through jobs passively and applying on a whim, join a community of people who are also looking for a change. The Break Community can help you move your career forward.
  3. Search for jobs on ZipRecruiter. If you are looking for a sales job, start your search on ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter is free for job seekers and you can apply for jobs with a single click!

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11 Of The Best Sales Jobs

Here are 11 of the best sales jobs.

1. Sales Manager 

Median National Salary: $130,600/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs: 554,700

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 4% (As fast as average)

Job Duties: A sales manager is responsible for leading and motivating a sales team, setting sales targets, and developing strategies to drive revenue growth. They use their expertise in sales techniques, market analysis, and customer relationship management to ensure that the team meets sales goals, acquires new customers, and maintains strong client relationships while aligning sales efforts with the organization's objectives. For more job duties and information, check out our sales and marketing manager job description.

2. Sales Engineer 

Median National Salary: $108,530/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs: 60,900

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)

Job Duties: A sales engineer is responsible for understanding technical aspects of products or services and presenting them to potential clients to address their specific needs. They use their expertise in engineering, product knowledge, and sales techniques to provide technical support, demonstrations, and consultation to customers, ensuring that the products or services meet the client's requirements and contribute to sales growth.

3. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agent 

Median National Salary: $62,000+

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs: 482,200

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 7% (Faster than average)

Job Duties: Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents are responsible for selling financial products, such as stocks, bonds, and insurance, to individuals and businesses. They use their expertise in financial markets, investment products, and sales techniques to provide advice, recommend suitable investments, and facilitate financial transactions, aiming to help clients achieve their financial goals while complying with industry regulations.

4. Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representative 

Median National Salary:  $67,750/year

Education Required: High school diploma

Number of Jobs: 1,649,900

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 1% (Little or no change)

Job Duties: Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are responsible for selling goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. They use their knowledge of the products, market trends, and sales techniques to identify potential customers, negotiate contracts, and provide information on product features and benefits, aiming to achieve sales targets and build long-term customer relationships.

5. Fundraiser 

Median National Salary: $61,190/year

Education Required: Bachelor’s degree

Number of Jobs: 124,000

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 5% (Faster than average)

Job Duties: A fundraiser is responsible for organizing and coordinating events or campaigns to raise funds for nonprofit organizations, charitable causes, or political campaigns. They use their skills in networking, communication, and strategic planning to cultivate donor relationships, secure financial support, and meet fundraising goals, ensuring that the funds are utilized to support the organization's mission and programs. While fundraisers won’t sell a product, they will sell the organization’s mission to prospective donors.

6. Advertising Sales Agent 

Median National Salary: $58,450/year

Education Required: High school diploma

Number of Jobs: 111,400

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -7% (Decline)

Job Duties: An advertising sales agent is responsible for selling advertising space or time to businesses and organizations. They use their knowledge of marketing, advertising, and sales techniques to identify potential clients, negotiate advertising contracts, and provide solutions that align with the client's marketing objectives, aiming to generate revenue and build lasting partnerships.

7. Insurance Sales Agent 

Median National Salary: $57,860/year

Education Required: High school diploma + state license

Number of Jobs: 536,800

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 8% (Faster than average)

Job Duties: An insurance sales agent is responsible for selling various types of insurance policies to individuals and businesses. They use their expertise in insurance products, risk assessment, and sales techniques to identify client needs, explain policy features, and customize coverage options, aiming to provide financial protection for clients and generate sales for the insurance company.

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8. Real Estate Sales Agent 

Median National Salary: $52,030/year

Education Required: High school diploma + state license

Number of Jobs: 589,800

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 3% (As fast as average)

Job Duties: A real estate sales agent is responsible for facilitating the sale, purchase, or rental of properties on behalf of clients. They use their expertise in real estate market trends, property valuation, and sales negotiations to market properties, guide clients through the transaction process, and ensure that the sale or lease of properties meets legal and contractual requirements.

9. Travel Agent 

Median National Salary: $46,400/year

Education Required: High school diploma

Number of Jobs: 66,300

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 3% (As fast as average)

Job Duties: A travel agent is responsible for assisting clients in planning and booking travel arrangements, such as flights, accommodations, and activities. They use their knowledge of travel destinations, transportation options, and travel regulations to provide personalized recommendations, ensure smooth travel experiences, and handle any issues that may arise during the trip.

If you want to explore other travel jobs, check out our guide to the best travel jobs.

10. Retail Sales Worker 

Median National Salary: $30,750/year

Education Required: No formal education is required

Number of Jobs: 4+ million

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: -2% (Decline)

Job Duties: A retail sales worker is responsible for assisting customers, processing transactions, and maintaining the presentation of merchandise in a retail environment. They use their customer service skills to provide product information, address customer inquiries, and ensure a positive shopping experience, contributing to sales and customer satisfaction. For more information, check out our salesperson job description.

11. Pharmaceutical Sales

Median National Salary: $67,750/year

Education Required: No formal education is required

Number of Jobs: 1,649,900

Job Growth 2022 – 2032: 1% (Little or no change)

Job Duties: A pharmaceutical sales representative is responsible for promoting and selling pharmaceutical products to healthcare professionals, such as doctors and pharmacists. They use their knowledge of pharmaceutical products, sales techniques, and industry regulations to build relationships with healthcare providers, provide information on products, and drive sales while ensuring compliance with marketing and regulatory standards.

Do you want to check out other popular round-ups? Explore our guide to the best retail jobs.

Requirements And Skills To Work In Sales

These are the requirements and skills needed to work in sales.

  • High school education (or higher)
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Relationship-building
  • Time management and organization
  • Product or service offering knowledge
  • Computer/tech savvy
  • Presentation giving
  • Negotiation
  • Project management
  • Attention to detail
  • Prospecting
  • Closing the deal
  • Self-motivated

How Do You Get A Good Paying Job In Sales?

Here are some best practices and tactics to use for help in landing a good-paying job in sales.

Review And Refine Your Cover Letter And Resume

Take time to polish your resume to ensure it highlights your relevant experience, skills, and achievements. Showcase your results and share awards and recognitions you’ve received.

If you need help with your resume, we recommend working with a resume writing service. Resume writing services are an affordable way to get expert resume help.

Research Target Companies In Your Field

Conduct thorough research on companies offering sales positions you’re interested in. Taking the time to research companies can help you get a let up on your competition when interviewing.

Researching can also help you make sure that you would be a good fit at the company.

Interview Prep

Conduct a mock interview to practice your interview skills and prepare for challenging questions and scenarios that may arise.

For more help, check out our guide on how to prepare for an interview.

Consider Working In A Sales Specialty

Specialized sales roles tend to pay higher so, going for a role like this in account management or enterprise sales, for example, could provide a higher salary.

Salary Negotiation

Use negotiation skills to negotiate your salary and benefits when you are presented with a job offer. If you need to learn more about negotiating, check out our expert guide on how to negotiate salary.

Pros and Cons of Working In Sales

The pros of working in sales are:

  • Challenging work: You’ll get the chance to work in a position that challenges you and keeps you engaged while equally being rewarding and personally enriching.
  • Lucrative salary: Many sales jobs offer a base salary including a bonus and other perks. 
  • Career growth opportunities: The chance to advance your career and move into other areas of the company including management.
  • Independence and flexibility: The potential to work remotely with little to no supervision. You may also have the opportunity to set your own sales targets and make decisions to reach your objectives.

The cons of working in sales are:

  • The pressure to perform: Your job is sales-driven so your results are a direct reflection of your performance, which can feel stressful and demanding.
  • Travel: The demands of travel which may be included as a regular part of your job.
  • Long hours: Working outside of a traditional 9-to-5 schedule may be needed to reach your sales goals, including working nights and weekends.

Best Places To Find Sales Jobs 

ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter is a well-rounded job board that can help all workers make their next professional move. And, with more than 2.4 million sales-related roles posted as of this writing, there’s a good chance the platform can help you advance your sales career. You can narrow down the staggering list of opportunities by location, title, salary, employment type, and other parameters.

For more information, check out our ZipRecruiter review.

Discover Your Dream Job

Find jobs near you and apply with 1 click! New jobs posted daily.

Get Started With ZipRecruiter
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SalesJobs®

SalesJobs® is a specialized job board that features sales-related roles. You can actively search through the positions posted by location, industry, or salary. Or, you can publish your resume in the directory to get discovered by hiring managers.

Rainmakers

Rainmakers isn’t a job board. It’s a platform that connects you with companies looking for top sales talent. You build your profile by uploading your resume and answering a few questions, including your compensation requirements. Then, if an organization meets your criteria, they can contact you about an open position.

If you want to explore additional places to find sales jobs, check out our guide to the best job posting sites.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, you now have a solid understanding of the best sales jobs in the market. But, we encourage you to refresh your resume through one of our choices for the best resume writing service before you start applying for your next position. Then, begin your job search with ZipRecruiter.