Career comparison
Retail Store Manager vs. Sales Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Sales managers earn more at the median ($148,270 vs. $48,520), while retail store managers usually get to work faster (2–5 years of retail experience of training). Retail store managers lead retail teams and run stores that hit their sales goals. Sales managers lead sales teams, set goals and drive revenue growth.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Retail Store Manager | Sales Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $48,520 ($23.33/hr) | $148,270 ($71.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $33,120 – $77,080 | $73,170 – $290,540 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.7% (a projected decline) | +4.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 113,500 | 47,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 2–5 years of retail experience | 4 years plus 3–5 years in sales |
| Key credential | NRF Foundation retail certifications | Certified Sales Leader |
| Work setting | Managers work on the sales floor and in back offices, standing and walking much of the day.. | Sales managers work in offices or remotely and travel to visit clients and teams.. |
What each job does
Retail Store Manager
- Hire, train and schedule staff
- Set and track sales goals
- Coach associates on service and selling
- Manage inventory, ordering and shrink
- Maintain visual and merchandising standards
Sales Manager
- Hire, train and coach sales reps
- Set quotas and territories
- Review pipelines and forecasts
- Analyze sales performance data
- Help close key deals
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, teamwork, a fast pace, and high responsibility. Both are part of the sales & retail field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose retail store manager if…
- I like leading teams
- I enjoy hitting goals
- I’m comfortable with numbers
Choose sales manager if…
- I love leading teams
- I’ve been successful in sales
- I like coaching people
Still torn? Take the Retail Store Manager fit quiz and the Sales Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, retail store manager or sales manager?
Sales Managers earn more at the median: $148,270 versus $48,520 for retail store managers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Retail Store Managers typically train faster (2–5 years of retail experience) than sales managers (4 years plus 3–5 years in sales).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects sales managers to grow +4.5% from 2025–35, compared with -3.7% for retail store managers.