Will AI replace sales managers?AI replacement risk 65% and how the work is changing

United States Marketing & PR Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$148,270
25th–75th pct. $100,360–$207,340
Top pay (est.)
$377,700
Top 10% $290,540
Pay in 5 years
$168,400est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$191,200est.
$164,400–$222,000
Outlook score
58/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
65%
High
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.5%
47K openings / yr

Will AI replace Sales Managers? AI replacement risk

65%
High
Ranked #699 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Sales Managers

Key skills

Monitoring
4.6
Time Management
4.0
Management of Personnel Resources
4.0
Coordination
4.0
Negotiation
4.0
Judgment and Decision Making
4.0
Social Perceptiveness
4.0
Persuasion
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Sales and Marketing
5.9
Customer and Personal Service
5.2
Education and Training
5.0
Administration and Management
4.6
English Language
4.3
Personnel and Human Resources
4.2
Computers and Electronics
3.8
Mathematics
3.8

What the work involves

Selling or Influencing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoaching and Developing OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree
71%
Some college
19%
Master's degree
5%
Associate's degree
5%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
30%
1–3 months
25%
1–2 years
15%
3–6 months
10%
None / short demo
5%
2–4 years
5%
6–12 months
5%
4–10 years
5%

Related work experience

4–6 years
38%
2–4 years
24%
6–8 years
19%
8–10 years
10%
Over 10 years
5%
1–2 years
5%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.