Sales Managers
SOC: 11-2022.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
AI Impact Summary
Sales Managers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 29/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2046 and 2076. Of 17 analyzed tasks, 2 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$138,060
per year
Mean Wage
$160,930
per year
Employment
604K
workers
Wage Range
$66,910 - N/A
10th - 90th pct
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 26.8%
Skill Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (7)
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (5)
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Sales Managers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Negotiation
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Task Breakdown
17 tasks analyzed
Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.
Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
Determine price schedules and discount rates.
Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
Assess marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considering statistics and expenditures.
Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs.
Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations.
Visit franchised dealers to stimulate interest in establishment or expansion of leasing programs.
Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions.
Advise dealers and distributors on policies and operating procedures to ensure functional effectiveness of business.
Confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications.
Direct foreign sales and service outlets of an organization.
Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 12% |
| Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 40 | 31.0 | 8% |
| Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 35 | 29.0 | 6% |
| Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 8% |
| Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 25 | 25.0 | 8% |
| Determine price schedules and discount rates. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 5% |
| Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures. | Non-Routine Analytical | 55 | 49.0 | 5% |
| Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 6% |
| Assess marketing potential of new and existing store locations, considering statistics and expenditures. | Non-Routine Analytical | 70 | 55.0 | 3% |
| Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 8% |
| Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 6% |
| Visit franchised dealers to stimulate interest in establishment or expansion of leasing programs. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 3% |
| Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions. | Routine Cognitive | 85 | 83.2 | 4% |
| Advise dealers and distributors on policies and operating procedures to ensure functional effectiveness of business. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 5% |
| Confer or consult with department heads to plan advertising services and to secure information on equipment and customer specifications. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 5% |
| Direct foreign sales and service outlets of an organization. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 30 | 27.0 | 3% |
| Represent company at trade association meetings to promote products. | Non-Routine Interpersonal | 15 | 21.0 | 5% |
Community Assessment
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