BUSINESS Zone 4: Considerable Preparation

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers earn $87,520 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $63,940 and $122,050. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of sales workers other than retail sales workers. May perform duties such as budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.


Median Wage
$87,520
Employed Nationally
214K
Openings / Year
24,800
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation

Also known as:

Advertising Material Distributors Supervisor Blood Donor Recruiter Supervisor Bowling Desk Clerk Supervisor Bulk Plant Supervisor Circulation Crew Leader

How Much Do First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers Make?

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers earn $87,520 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,940 and $122,050. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$87,520
National Median (Annual)

Above the national median for college graduates.

$64K–$122K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

The mean wage for this occupation is $99,370, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.

What Do First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Monitor sales staff performance to ensure that goals are met.
  • Provide staff with assistance in performing difficult or complicated duties.
  • Direct and supervise employees engaged in sales, inventory-taking, reconciling cash receipts, or performing specific services.
  • Listen to and resolve customer complaints regarding services, products, or personnel.
  • Keep records pertaining to purchases, sales, and requisitions.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Speaking Monitoring Management of Personnel Resources Active Listening Judgment and Decision Making

Who Thrives Here

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

S
Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

Where Do First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
Moderate

Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.

What Is the Job Outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers?

The BLS projects +0.0% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 24,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +0.0%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Slower than average.

24,800
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

214K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $87,520 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 21,650 $73,940 -15.5%
2 California 19,310 $80,970 -7.5%
3 Florida 16,300 $83,670 -4.4%
4 New York 16,040 $118,350 +35.2%
5 New Jersey 12,430 $97,230 +11.1%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

High school diploma or equivalent
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation

These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 General Sales & Distribution 5,965 $75,399 342
2 Specialized Sales 4,322 $59,631 190

Top Colleges for Aspiring First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 93 $3,033 $75,971
2 University of Georgia Athens, GA 88 $13,936 $68,726
3 Institute of Medical Careers Pittsburgh, PA 86 $21,392
4 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 86 $14,600 $72,424
5 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 86 $17,354 $73,792
6 De Anza College Cupertino, CA 85 $6,642 $56,596

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers Pros & Cons

The data on First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers shows 4 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Above-average pay At $87,520 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
  • High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $122,050 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
  • Wide job market 214K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • Slow job growth At +0.0% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
  • Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $87,520 median while building the experience employers require.
  • Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $63,940 is considerably below the $87,520 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers Frequently Asked Questions

How much do First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers is $87,520, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,940 and $122,050. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $87,520 median, though slow job growth means most openings come from workers leaving the field rather than new positions being created. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How long does it take to become a First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like General Sales & Distribution are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $87,520 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers?
The BLS projects +0.0% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 24,800 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 214K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers salaries vary so widely?
The $58,110 gap between the 25th ($63,940) and 75th ($122,050) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers roles: Speaking, Monitoring, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening, and Judgment and Decision Making. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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