The average salary for a sales manager in Australia ranges from $100,000 to $125,000 per year or $50.61 to $63.26 per hour.
Entry-level positions for salary manager roles at smaller companies may start at $85,000 per annum or $43.02 per hour, whilst senior sales manager positions can exceed $200,000 per year or $101.21 per hour.
How does a sales manager’s salary compare to national averages?
According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the mean salary for a full-time adult in Australia is around $98,000. It is important to remember that this figure represents the mean and not the median. When we look at median figures, this number falls to around $55,000 pre-tax.
Given that the average salary for a sales manager in Australia ranges from $100,000 to $125,000 per annum and can exceed $200,000 per year, a sales manager’s salary compares extremely favourably against national averages.
What does a sales manager actually do?
A sales manager is responsible for managing part of or an entire sales team. The role of a sales manager will vary depending on the size of the organisation and the sales team’s requirements. Typical responsibilities of a sales manager include:
- Ensuring the sales team understands objectives
- Managing the day-to-day operations of the sales staff
- Training and managing members of the sales team
- Setting goals and quotas for the sales staff
- Overseeing the sales process and ensuring continuity between team members
- Developing and maintaining customer relationships
- Managing and allocating leads between the sales staff
- Reporting and collaborating with key stakeholders from other departments
- Ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations
How long does it take to become a sales manager?
The timeframe to become a sales manager in Australia can range from 2 to 5 years depending on previous experience and performance. A successful sales manager will typically have a mix of practical sales experience, relevant education and training, and strong interpersonal and communication skills that are required to manage and motivate a sales team.
What experience and qualifications are required for a sales manager?
The pathway to becoming a sales manager in Australia can look different from individual to individual. Some sales managers come from a leadership and management background, whilst others see the position as a logical step forward in a sales career.
Regardless of your path, relevant education and sales manager courses are an essential piece of the puzzle. Sales management training courses are a good way to refresh core concepts, broaden your understanding of the position, and continue to develop in the role. Unlike a real estate training course, which is mandated by an independent body, sales management courses are ideal for sales professionals looking to expand their skillset, or for experienced sales managers to continue their personal development.
Factors that impact how much a sales manager earns in Australia
Like any role, not all sales managers will earn the same amount. Some of the factors that impact how much a sales manager earns in Australia, include:
Experience – relevant, transferrable experience as well as previous performance will play a key role in dictating how much a sales manager can earn.
Seniority – large companies will typically have more than one sales manager and may even have a senior manager responsible for managing the various heads of teams. Seniority and responsibility within the role will play an important role in determining earning potential.
Company – just like any role, some companies will pay more than others. A salary range will typically be included in the job advertisement, however, it’s also worth looking at first-hand data from current or past employees on platforms such as Glassdoor to get a sense of true earning potential – particularly in sales manager roles with on-track-earning (OTEs).
Salary structure – like sales staff, many sales managers will have a base and bonus structure that is tied into performance. Whilst some prefer a consistent base salary, others may opt for roles with higher OTEs that are tied to performance.
Targets & incentives – just like the sales team, a sales manager will be incentivised by performance. The difficulty of reaching these targets and the nature of incentives will play a key role in determining earning potential in any sales manager role.
Do sales managers get paid more than the sales team?
In most cases, a sales manager will be paid more than the sales team; however, this will depend on the role and the salary and bonus structure associated with it.
Sales managers are incentivised based on the performance of the sales team. As a result, when the sales team performs well, the manager’s salary increases, as well as their own incentives and bonuses. In short, the better the team performs, the better the financial rewards for the sales manager.
Is a sales manager a good career?
The role of a sales manager isn’t for the faint-hearted. In most cases, you will be responsible for managing multiple (strong) personalities and driving the overall sales objective of the team. A sales manager is a great career option for individuals with a strong background in sales who relish the challenge of leading and motivating a sales team.
