Sales salaries in the UK: what can you expect?

Sales professionals, depending on their role, sell products and services to customers or directly to businesses. Skilled in relationship building, research and, of course, selling, sales specialists are excellent communicators, confident, resilient, self-motivated and competitive. Working hours are typically long but remuneration can be very rewarding.

A career in sales can present many opportunities. The core skills and abilities of a sales professional can be translated into various roles. Fast moving and dynamic, sales careers are available within most industry sectors. The average sales salary within the UK varies greatly depending on the level of the position, the industry and region the roles are based. 

In addition to the variety of industry sectors and locations sales jobs can be found, the types of jobs a sales professional might pursue are also very broad. You may find yourself working as an inside sales rep/sales executive, an outside sales representative, account manager, sales engineer or a sales manager to name a few. The way in which remuneration is paid is also different between roles and organisations. Wages may comprise a straight commission based payment or salary plus commission, therefore, it is very difficult to ascertain the overall average salary for a sales professional.

From data we have gathered from placements and advertised positions from the last 12 months, the UK average salary for a sales professional can range from £35,000 to £39,200, depending on the region. Between sectors, salaries can vary by around £1,000. Base salaries for professionals entering into a sales support role start at around £15,900 and experienced sales managing directors can earn upwards of £135,000. 

Average sales salaries are most reliable when calculated by the region and specific sector of the role. To more accurately benchmark your salary or determine the salary you can expect in your next role, use our Salary Comparison Tool.

Career options for sales professionals