California ranks 21st of 51 states and D.C. for sales managers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($214,350) by $81,910 — a 62% gap.
Sales Managers are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.53 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.53× the national share.
California employs roughly 17.9% of all sales managers in the country (108,120 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $63,110 | $30.34 |
| 25th percentile | $84,370 | $40.56 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $132,440 | $63.67 |
| 75th percentile | $202,650 | $97.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $157,170 | $75.56 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $132,440 | n/a |
| New York | $214,350 | +62% |
| Delaware | $201,090 | +52% |
| Colorado | $174,840 | +32% |
| New Jersey | $171,490 | +29% |
| Virginia | $170,970 | +29% |
| Massachusetts | $170,610 | +29% |
| Washington | $167,210 | +26% |
| District of Columbia | $154,320 | +17% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $131,430 | 24,190 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $133,580 | 7,570 |
| Art Directors | $133,930 | 12,540 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,580 | 4,920 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $130,240 | 27,210 |
| Sales Engineers | $134,990 | 6,980 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Sales Managers salary in California?
The mean sales managers salary in California is $157,170 per year. The median (middle) salary is $132,440 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Sales Managers in California?
Entry-level sales managerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $63,110 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $84,370 per year.
What is the highest Sales Managers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately N/A per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $202,650 per year.
How does the California Sales Managers salary compare to the national average?
The median sales managers salary in California is $132,440, which is -4% below national average of $138,060.