Sales Managers in Iowa. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Iowa's median for Sales Managers came in at $128,010 in 2024, about 9% below the national median of $140,418. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
The spread across the field is wide. The bottom tenth of Sales Managers in Iowa earned around $68,890. The top tenth earned $208,620, roughly three times as much. That range reflects how differently this role pays depending on industry, company size, and how much of the compensation comes from commissions versus base salary. Two people with the same title can sit at very different points on that scale.
Cost of living matters here. Iowa's overall cost-of-living index sits at 89.9, about 10% below the national baseline. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the Iowa median of $128,010 translates to roughly $142,400 in national-baseline dollars. That puts Iowa roughly in line with the national figure once local prices are factored in, and above it by a small margin.
BLS projects employment for Sales Managers to grow 4.7% nationally between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the average outlook category. Iowa's 2,960 employed in the role suggests a mid-size market, not a high-density hub, but steady enough that openings appear regularly as the field turns over.
The mean annual wage of $140,470 sits well above the median of $128,010. A smaller group of high earners at the top of the distribution pulls the average up. For most people in this role in Iowa, the median is the more useful reference point.
Salary distribution
Where Iowa sales managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $99,780 and $172,810, with a median of $134,010.
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Sales Managers pay by experience level in Iowa
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Iowa over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Sales and Marketing
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Persuasion
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate, or other subjects of sale.
- 02
Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
- 03
Confer with potential customers regarding equipment needs, and advise customers on types of equipment to purchase.
- 04
Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
- 05
Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
- 06
Determine price schedules and discount rates.
- 07
Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
- 08
Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Sales Managers in Iowa?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Sales Managers in Iowa is $134,010.
- How does Iowa compare to the national median for Sales Managers?
- The Iowa median is -8.6% versus the BLS national figure of $146,653.
- What is the salary range for Sales Managers in Iowa?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $72,130 and the 90th-percentile at $220,770, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Sales Managers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Sales Managers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.