The sales industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. The shift to remote and hybrid work has made virtual selling the new norm, with a majority of B2B sales interactions now happening online. This change demands a new skillset, from mastering virtual platforms to using data analytics to personalize pitches and forecast sales.
- Data-driven selling: Intuition is being replaced by data. Gartner predicts that by next year, 65% of B2B sales will be data-driven, requiring professionals who can translate insights into action.
- AI & automation: With 81% of sales teams now using AI, these tools are eliminating administrative tasks and freeing up reps to focus on strategic work. The ability to use AI-driven CRMs and other advanced tools is becoming a prerequisite for top talent.
The move toward these new models is creating a demand for professionals who are both technologically savvy and adept at human connection.
prepare to uncover
- how to attract top sales professionals in a competitive job market
- how current compensation trends will influence your recruitment strategy
- what impact local salary trends have on sales professionals today
Our 2026 sales salary guide provides the critical market data you need to attract and hire the sales talent that will drive your business forward.
what you'll uncover in our 2026 salary guide
Our comprehensive guide compiles data from a wide range of sales and operations specialties to give you a detailed view of the evolving US market. Inside, you will find:
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in-demand job market data
Get a granular look at national and regional salary averages for the most sought-after roles, including:
- sales manager
- manager inside sales
- sales engineer
- account manager
- inside sales representative
- media sales consultant
- sales director
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analysis and trends for the year ahead
Beyond the numbers, our guide provides strategic insights into the factors that will drive hiring and retention in 2026.
- The rise of new roles: The move toward data-driven selling is creating entirely new, high-demand roles like Sales Operations Analyst and Sales Strategy Analyst. We provide an overview of these positions and their competitive salary benchmarks.
- The AI-driven sales cycle: We explore how to identify and hire professionals who are proficient in AI and data analysis. This section also addresses the challenge of hiring sales teams strategically, using skills assessments to find candidates with both the hard and soft skills that truly impact revenue.
- Strategic hiring for a new era: With AI-driven applicant tools flooding the market with resumes, we provide strategies for cutting through the noise. Discover how to identify candidates who possess the cross-functional collaboration skills needed to work with marketing and deliver on a full-funnel strategy.
Our guide features contributions from industry experts, offering a comprehensive view of the current and future landscape of sales compensation in the US. By understanding these trends, you can build a high-performing sales team ready for the challenges of 2026.
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