Salary guide, May 2025
Channel / Distributor Sales Manager pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Sales Managers in the United States was $148,270 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $100,360 and $207,340.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-2022 Sales Managers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $73,170 | $100,360 | $148,270 | $207,340 | $290,540 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.18 | $48.25 | $71.28 | $99.68 | $139.68 |
BLS estimated 637,080 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-2022 Sales Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $130,180 | $94,420 to $181,200 | 13,930 | 1.21 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $132,010 | $97,390 to $183,490 | 7,150 | 1.21 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $131,770 | $92,740 to $181,260 | 6,220 | 1.07 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $163,520 | $108,750 to $217,730 | 3,280 | 1.08 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $215,150 | $160,200 to $310,750 | 44,870 | 1.15 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $215,150 | $160,200 to $310,750 | 44,870 | 1.15 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $144,290 | $101,840 to $205,680 | 26,780 | 1.61 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $158,690 | $110,000 to $212,000 | 25,390 | 1.37 |
Rank every metro for Channel / Distributor Sales Manager
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing$215,500
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$200,050
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$194,160
- Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills$191,680
- Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing$191,050
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging$182,340
- Paper Manufacturing$179,260
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$177,360
- Apparel Manufacturing$175,070
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$174,890
- Converted Paper Product Manufacturing$173,430
- Chemical Manufacturing$171,400
- Grain and Oilseed Milling$170,940
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$170,490
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing$169,370
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 65,440 | $113,290 | $156,150 | $204,070 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 10,250 | $132,350 | $177,360 | $229,440 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 9,080 | $109,850 | $140,710 | $179,810 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 6,850 | $114,070 | $143,090 | $181,290 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 6,450 | $130,520 | $171,400 | $220,770 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 6,220 | $100,730 | $136,710 | $174,260 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 5,590 | $111,430 | $158,980 | $203,730 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 4,650 | $109,390 | $161,050 | $210,400 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 4,350 | $117,350 | $158,810 | $198,340 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 4,220 | $128,490 | $166,290 | $214,760 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 3,800 | $117,960 | $158,350 | $192,840 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 3,000 | $121,670 | $157,040 | $197,810 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 2,720 | $104,010 | $143,670 | $179,360 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 2,690 | $82,920 | $106,710 | $155,200 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 2,690 | $152,310 | $194,160 | $235,200 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 2,620 | $82,970 | $106,710 | $154,680 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 2,490 | $126,000 | $163,390 | $200,000 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 2,490 | $138,070 | $200,050 | $255,140 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 2,330 | $127,400 | $169,370 | $213,970 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 2,320 | $101,040 | $140,290 | $195,480 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 2,310 | $98,420 | $131,780 | $170,170 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 2,020 | $128,410 | $167,200 | $209,800 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 1,930 | $140,800 | $215,500 | $301,630 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 1,750 | $118,500 | $147,040 | $176,760 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 1,570 | $125,040 | $161,310 | $181,230 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 1,540 | $111,480 | $147,780 | $182,160 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 1,500 | $96,000 | $133,450 | $200,940 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 1,500 | $96,000 | $133,450 | $200,940 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 1,440 | $121,860 | $155,910 | $198,010 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 1,380 | $142,950 | $174,890 | $208,740 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 1,370 | $133,390 | $168,160 | $213,610 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 1,350 | $118,610 | $165,000 | $211,530 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 1,340 | $132,360 | $179,260 | $219,380 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 1,300 | $106,090 | $133,010 | $168,430 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 1,300 | $106,090 | $133,010 | $168,430 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 1,280 | $129,160 | $170,490 | $218,050 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 1,130 | $106,200 | $135,560 | $176,670 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 1,100 | $80,930 | $120,400 | $170,950 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 1,090 | $128,640 | $173,430 | $218,130 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 950 | $99,000 | $128,670 | $170,600 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 940 | $109,370 | $141,500 | $176,340 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 910 | $108,850 | $138,110 | $179,990 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 810 | $104,580 | $141,580 | $181,520 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 780 | $88,060 | $119,080 | $158,990 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 740 | $119,110 | $161,290 | $204,050 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 690 | $131,960 | $164,310 | $210,560 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 680 | $95,640 | $122,700 | $166,530 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 670 | $103,980 | $135,480 | $172,670 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 650 | $118,500 | $150,850 | $209,500 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 650 | $118,500 | $150,850 | $209,500 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 600 | $113,150 | $132,960 | $176,090 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 540 | $99,830 | $137,440 | $173,990 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 520 | $127,150 | $165,800 | $213,440 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 510 | $104,600 | $131,580 | $164,070 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 480 | $121,770 | $160,500 | $184,850 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 460 | $132,410 | $175,070 | $247,470 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 440 | $110,630 | $160,530 | $199,990 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 380 | $120,890 | $149,780 | $184,270 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 370 | $135,500 | $191,050 | $281,890 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 370 | $82,190 | $109,340 | $161,640 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 350 | $106,850 | $142,050 | $198,970 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 340 | $98,200 | $139,380 | $195,450 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 320 | $132,580 | $160,490 | $209,850 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 310 | $133,550 | $170,940 | $217,570 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 300 | $124,190 | $164,270 | $205,170 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 290 | $105,270 | $136,100 | $163,020 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 270 | $118,250 | $136,750 | $173,200 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 270 | $109,760 | $157,440 | $186,080 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 250 | $150,810 | $191,680 | $242,370 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 210 | $100,710 | $139,380 | $191,390 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 210 | $98,410 | $155,950 | $257,450 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 210 | $118,460 | $146,830 | $186,430 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 210 | $112,740 | $156,020 | $208,030 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 210 | $82,590 | $103,200 | $148,840 |
| 337900 | Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | 210 | $98,230 | $120,020 | $163,750 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 200 | $124,670 | $156,020 | $209,970 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 190 | $120,660 | $155,020 | $184,190 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 150 | $107,440 | $142,860 | $179,180 |
| 314100 | Textile Furnishings Mills | 130 | $96,730 | $139,960 | $232,140 |
| 334600 | Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | 130 | $121,580 | $168,940 | $201,790 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 120 | $121,630 | $149,140 | $168,810 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 120 | $94,960 | $131,690 | $164,520 |
| 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | 120 | $94,000 | $141,380 | $193,810 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 110 | $121,630 | $147,020 | $200,540 |
| 313300 | Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | 80 | $132,730 | $165,970 | $245,750 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 70 | $147,740 | $182,340 | $225,920 |
| 312200 | Tobacco Manufacturing | 70 | $79,120 | $120,150 | $182,980 |
| 316000 | Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 50 | $75,200 | $135,210 | $171,600 |
| 316900 | Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | 30 | $75,510 | $132,620 | $160,190 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Channel / Distributor Sales Manager, separate the guaranteed salary from any discretionary bonus or commission arrangement. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $95,910 | $138,060 | $201,490 |
| May 2025 | $100,360 | $148,270 | $207,340 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about the decision behind the experience?
The useful evidence is a channel conflict resolved without losing technical accountability, not a list of equipment or projects. Discuss what information was available during a channel conflict resolved without losing technical accountability. A clear explanation exposes channel development rather than direct management of every end-user sale much better than asking whether the candidate has held the title before.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Channel / Distributor Sales Manager?
The median annual wage for Sales Managers in the United States was $148,270 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $100,360 and $207,340. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $73,170. 90% earned less than $290,540.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Channel / Distributor Sales Manager at a plant?
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 637,080 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
VP of Sales (Industrial) pay Regional Sales Manager / Technical Sales Manager pay Sales Engineer pay Applications Engineer pay Field Service Engineer pay Channel / Distributor Sales Manager pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Channel / Distributor Sales Manager recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
The national median for Channel and Distributor Sales Managers, mapped to the broader Sales Managers SOC 11-2022, is $148,270. This figure increased by $10,210 from the May 2024 median of $138,060. The middle-band width is $106,980, spanning from $100,360 at P25 to $207,340 at P75. These amounts reflect annual earnings for the 637,080 employees in the category.
Note that BLS data omits variable incentives common to distribution-focused sales management, which are vital for total package design.
Regional employment concentrations in New York-Newark-Jersey City and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim show medians of $215,150 and $132,330, respectively. These metros experienced medianChanges of $3,480 and $5,540. These figures are annual totals. Manufacturing Headhunters advises that these regional differences reflect high-cost market adjustments rather than specific manufacturing role value. Because these figures are based on the broader occupation, they represent the total spectrum of sales management across all sectors.
Industries with high demand for sales management include Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing at $215,500, Semiconductors at $200,050, and Pharmaceuticals at $194,160. These provide clearer targets for competitive pay than the total occupation median. These figures are national in scope and should not be confused with local facility-based wages. Managers should compare these to their candidate's specific technical sales background and industry experience before settling on a specific point in the middle-band width.
The screening process for this role prioritizes channel conflict resolution and the ability to maintain technical accountability. The role requires channel development focus, moving away from direct management of end-user transactions. The middle-band width of $106,980 is the standard reference, but actual offers will vary based on the level of channel complexity. The location quotient in the top metros confirms high availability of candidates, but hiring managers should not assume these figures represent the market ceiling.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Does this data reflect channel-specific incentives?
No, BLS occupation data is limited to total annual wages. It does not separate channel-specific bonuses, override percentages, or distributor-incentive pay.
What is the significance of the $215,500 industry median?
It serves as a benchmark for high-value manufacturing sectors. It is not a rule for all channel managers but a baseline for sectors with deep technical requirements.
How do I narrow the $106,980 band?
Narrow the band by evaluating the technical proficiency and the historical size of the distributor networks the candidate has successfully managed.
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