Sales Managers in Montana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Montana Sales Managers earned a median of $125,170 in 2024, about 11% below the US median of $140,418. That gap is real, but it is not the whole picture.
The cost of living in Montana runs slightly below the national average, with a price index of 96.8. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective gap narrows to something closer to 7 or 8 percentage points. That is still a discount, but a smaller one than the raw numbers suggest.
The spread between top and bottom earners is wide. The 10th percentile sat at $70,660 in 2024. The 90th percentile reached $227,760. Top earners made roughly 3.2 times what the lowest-paid Sales Managers did. In most states we see a gap, but Montana's range is particularly steep given the small employment base of around 750 people in this role. A handful of high-earning managers in industries like resource extraction or large regional distributors can move the numbers noticeably. The mean of $138,210 landing well above the median of $125,170 is consistent with that pattern: a small group of high earners pulling the average up.
BLS projects average growth for this occupation nationally through 2034, at 4.7% over the decade. Montana's figures track the same projection. Average means the field keeps pace with the broader economy, neither surging nor contracting.
Salary distribution
Where Montana sales managers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $91,980 and $167,610, with a median of $117,390.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Sales Managers pay by experience level in Montana
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 Montana 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Sales Managers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Sales Managers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Montana with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Sales Managers in Montana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Sales Managers in Montana is $117,390.
- How does Montana compare to the national median for Sales Managers?
- The Montana median is -20.0% versus the BLS national figure of $146,653.
- What is the salary range for Sales Managers in Montana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $81,030 and the 90th-percentile at $205,760, 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.