Hiring First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

What do first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers 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.
• Hire, train, and evaluate personnel.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 41-1012.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Salesforce software, Cisco Webex for this role.

What do first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers in 92 of the metro areas we publish data for. The median ranges from $58,720 to $122,870 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $80,760. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 41-1012.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest median any metro we publish data for pays first-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers is $122,870 a year, place of work (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $24,574 to $36,861 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a non-retail sales supervisor search fill?

Typically 23 to 35 days, and typically 2 to 3x faster than a contingency search, per our recruiting partner's published figures. Both are typical rather than guaranteed.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.