How Much Does a VP of Sales Make? (2025)
Top executives' employment, including VPs of Sales, is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Understanding the salary expectations for this role is important, as it helps companies offer competitive pay and allows candidates to make informed decisions and negotiate salaries.
According to Salary.com, the average salary for VP of sales in the United States in 2025 is $250,549.4 per year. This guide explains everything you need to know about the VP of sales salary, including the job description, frequently asked questions, and factors that affect its compensation.
What Does a VP of Sales do?
A Vice President of Sales (VP of Sales) is a senior executive responsible for creating and managing strategies to increase sales and meet financial goals. They set performance targets, use data to track results, and improve processes. They analyze market trends, work with teams to explore new products, and focus on keeping and growing customers.
VP of Sales also lead, train, and support sales teams and may personally handle important deals. The role usually requires a bachelor’s degree, 8 years of management experience, and a strong understanding of sales operations. It reports to top management.
What is VP of Sales Salary Overview?
The average salary for VP of Sales in the United States in 2025 is $250,549.4 per year. This represents only a 0.3% increase from 2024's average salary, which is $249,800 per year. However, the job outlook for this role is positive, with about 343, 800 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Vice president of sales salary ranges based on Salary.com data fall between $197,072 and $313,036, with most earning between $222,200 and $282,900. This data is based on anonymous Vice President of Sales reports.
The average Vice President of Sales salary per month is $20,817. A VP of Sales typically earns an average of $120 per hour, with an hourly range of $95 to $150. Meanwhile, the average weekly salary for VP of Sales is $4,804, with weekly pay ranging from $4,273 to $5,440.
2025 VP of Sales Average Salary: $250,549.4 per year ($120.5 per hour)
2024 VP of Sales Average Salary: $249,800 per year ($120 per hour)
The average core compensation for a VP of Sales is $383,800 per year. This includes salary and bonus, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $296,684 |
| 25th Percentile | $338,200 |
| 50th Percentile (median) | $383,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $440,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $492,504 |
Moreover, the average total compensation for VP of Sales is $487,083, according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($8,352), time off ($47,237), and Social Security ($16,018), which make up 14.7% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $249,800 | 51.3% |
| Bonus | $134,000 | 27.5% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $16,018 | 3.3% |
| 401K/403B | $10,500 | 2.2% |
| Disability | $7,676 | 1.6% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 1.7% |
| Pension | $13,500 | 2.8% |
| Time Off | $47,237 | 9.7% |
| Total Compensation | $487,083 | 100% |
What Can Affect Vice President of Sales Salaries?
Salary for VP of Sales is significantly influenced by factors such as experience level, geographic location, and skills. Here's the breakdown:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level VPs of Sales with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $226,497. In contrast, a VP of Sales with eight or more years of experience, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average salary of $245,100.
| Levels | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level VP of Sales | $226,497 |
| Intermediate Level VP of Sales | $229,219 |
| Senior Level VP of Sales | $232,849 |
| Specialist Level VP of Sales | $238,294 |
| Expert Level VP of Sales | $245,100 |
Moreover, a regional Vice President of Sales could earn more as they oversee larger territories, manage higher revenue targets, and take on greater strategic responsibilities within the organization.
By Geographic Location
VP of Sales salaries in the United States vary by location, influenced by cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence. According to Salary.com, the highest paid VP of Sales earns $313,500 in San Jose, California.
Other major cities include San Francisco, California, with average sales salaries of $312,200, followed by New York, New York at $291,700 and Boston, Massachusetts at $280,000.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $278,900 | $313,500 | $355,100 |
| San Francisco, California | $277,800 | $312,200 | $353,700 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $247,400 | $278,000 | $313,900 |
| Miami, Florida | $214,500 | $241,000 | $273,000 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $233,100 | $262,000 | $296,800 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $249,100 | $280,000 | $317,200 |
| New York, New York | $259,600 | $291,700 | $330,500 |
| Dallas, Texas | $219,400 | $246,500 | $279,300 |
By Skills
The salary for VP of Sales increases with high-demand skills. According to Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, complex sales skills can lead to a 10.98% salary boost, while key account management skills can increase pay by 9.27%. The demand for both of these skills is 19.04%.
| Skill | Salary Increase | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Complex Sales | +10.98% | 19.04% |
| Key Account Management | +9.27% | 19.04% |
| Metrics Management | +9.25% | 18.54% |
| Business Development | +8.88% | 20.23% |
How to Become a VP of Sales
Here are the key steps to becoming a VP of Sales:
- Gain sales experience: Start by working in entry-level sales positions, such as sales representatives or sales managers. Focus on building a solid understanding of the sales process, customer relationship management, and meeting sales targets.
- Advance to sales management: With proven success in sales, transition into a sales management role. Lead teams, develop sales strategies, and ensure departmental goals are met. Typically, you will need at least 8+ years of managerial experience to qualify for a VP of Sales role.
- Develop necessary skills and qualifications: As you progress, focus on improving leadership, strategic planning, and business skills. A VP of Sales needs sales forecasting, data analysis, team management, and finance and accounting function knowledge for budgeting and revenue analysis. A bachelor's degree is common, and an MBA or certifications can help.
What are the FAQs about VP of Sales?
Here are some common questions about the VP of Sales salary:
What does a VP of sales earn?
As of December 2024, the recent Vice President of Sales (VP of Sales) typically earns $249,800 per year, which equals $20,817 per month, $4,804 per week, or $120 per hour. In 2025, the salary for VP of Sales is $250,549.4 per year or $120.5 per hour.
Is VP of sales a high position?
Yes, the job title Vice President of Sales is a high-level position within an organization. Unlike the Chief Revenue Officer, they lead sales strategies, manage operations, and work to increase revenue. The role involves setting goals, using data to improve performance, and collaborating with other teams.
Is it hard to become a VP of sales?
Becoming a sales vice president can be challenging, requiring over 8 years of experience in sales and leadership. Candidates need to show success in driving revenue, managing teams, and working with others. It takes years of career growth and proven leadership to reach this role.
How much does a VP of sales make in Boston?
As of December 2024, the most common vice president of sales salary in Massachusetts is $280,000, which equals $23,333 per month, $5,385 per week, or $135 per hour.
