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2024 Data

Sales Manager Salary in Nashville, TN: $135,266 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $65.03/hour | $88,076 - $197,505 range

Median Annual Salary

$135,266

2.3% vs national

Hourly Rate

$65.03

/hour

Jobs in Area

415

employed

Salary Range$88,076 - $197,505
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Nashville, TN

$135,266

San Jose, CA

$185,328

$50,062 more (+37.0%)

in San Jose, CA

Sales Manager Salary Range in Nashville, TN

Annual Salary Range

$135k

$88k

10th percentile

$113k

25th

$158k

75th

$198k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$88,076$42.34
25th Percentile$113,305$54.47
Median (50th Percentile)$135,266$65.03
75th Percentile$158,389$76.15
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$197,505$94.95
Average (Mean)$143,598$69.04

Sales Manager Market Insights for Nashville, TN

Compensation Overview

Sales Manager compensation in Nashville, TN aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $88,076 to $197,505 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Nashville, TN offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Tennessee economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Sales Manager profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 124% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 46% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

-2%

vs National Avg

+1%

vs State Avg

124%

Salary Range

415

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Sales Manager salary growth in Nashville, TN based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$88,076

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$113,305

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$135,266

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$158,389

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$197,505

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Sales Manager Job Market in Nashville, TN

Where Sales Managers Work

Sales Managers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Nashville, TN compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Nashville, TN

  • Research major employers in the Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Tennessee
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Nashville, TN market rate of $135,266
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $88,076 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median sales manager salary in Nashville, TN is $135,266 per year ($65.03/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $88,076 for entry-level positions to $197,505 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level sales managers in Nashville, TN typically start at around $88,076 per year ($42.34/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $135,266 within 3-5 years.

Sales Managers in Nashville, TN earn a median hourly wage of $65.03 per hour. Hourly rates range from $42.34/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $94.95/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $88,076 and $197,505.

The median sales manager salary of $135,266 in Nashville, TN is slightly below the national median of $138,390 (2.3% lower). The cost of living is also 1% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of sales managers in the area earn more and half earn less.

Sales Managers in Nashville, TN earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $135,266 is 2.3% lower than the national median of $138,390. The cost of living is also 1% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $137,048.

The top 10% of sales managers in Nashville, TN earn $197,505 or more per year ($94.95/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $158,389, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost sales manager salary in Nashville, TN include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $135,266, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($158,389) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Nashville, TN has a specialized job market for sales managers, with approximately 415 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $135,266 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 1% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your sales manager salary to these Nashville, TN benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $88,076, 25th percentile: $113,305, 50th percentile (median): $135,266, 75th percentile: $158,389, 90th percentile (top earners): $197,505. If you earn more than $135,266, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $135,266 median base salary, sales managers in Nashville, TN typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced sales managers with 5-10 years in Nashville, TN typically earn $158,389 (75th percentile) to $197,505 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $197,505. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $135,266.

Sales Managers in Nashville, TN can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($88,076) to median ($135,266) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($197,505) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $109,429 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

41-1011

SOC Classification

Sample Size

415

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Sales Manager in Nashville, TN

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Median: $135,266/yr

How Nashville, TN Compares

vs National Average

$138,390

-2.3%

vs Tennessee Average

$134,609

+0.5%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$137,048

+1.3%

Cost of living in Nashville, TN is 1.3% below the national average.

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Sales Manager Jobs in Nashville, TN

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