Direct Sales Executive Salary in the United States

How much does a Direct Sales Executive make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Sales Executive in the United States is $129,580 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

However, a Direct Sales Executive's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $150,396
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,503 to $140,476
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,328
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View as table View as graph 25% $119,503 10% $110,328 90% $150,396 75% $140,476 $129,580 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Direct Sales Executive Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $140,476 $11,706 $2,701 $68
Average $129,580 $10,798 $2,492 $62
25th Percentile $119,503 $9,959 $2,298 $57
Check out Direct Sales Executive Job Openings in the United States
Sales Account Executive

Securitas - CHICAGO, IL

Sales Account Executive

Securitas - BURR RIDGE, IL

Sales Account Executive

Securitas - BALTIMORE, MD

Sales Account Executive

Securitas - LAS VEGAS, NV

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Key Factors That Influence Direct Sales Executive Salaries

A Direct Sales Executive's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Direct Sales Executive Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Direct Sales Executive's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $122,530
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $123,327
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $124,601
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $126,194
  • Expert (over 8 years): $128,823
Levels Salary
Entry Level Direct Sales Executive$122,530
Intermediate Level Direct Sales Executive$123,327
Senior Level Direct Sales Executive$124,601
Specialist Level Direct Sales Executive$126,194
Expert Level Direct Sales Executive$128,823
$122,530 0 yr
$123,327 < 2 yrs
$124,601 2-4 yrs
$126,194 5-8 yrs
$128,823 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Direct Sales Executive Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Direct Sales Executives. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $143,471.
  • California: $142,927.
  • Massachusetts: $141,022.

Top Paying Cities for Direct Sales Executives

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $163,439
  • San Francisco: $161,832
  • Oakland: $158,243

What Skills Can Increase a Direct Sales Executive's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.42% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Client Service (Mentioned in 2.2% Job Postings): Client services are the processes and interactions organizations and members of their staff have with their clients.
  • B2B (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): B2B (business-to-business), a type of electronic commerce (e-commerce), is the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than between businesses and consumers (B2C).
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.42%
Client Service 2.2%
B2B 1.49%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Direct Sales Executive's salary.
  • Advertising: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Negotiating: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Relationship Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Advertising
$142,538
10%
Negotiating
$142,538
10%
Relationship Management
$138,651
7%
Insight
$138,651
7%
Leadership
$137,355
6%
Collaboration
$137,355
6%
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How Education impacts a Direct Sales Executive's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Direct Sales Executives enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Direct Sales Executive with a Associate's Degree is between $126,762 and $137,115).

Direct Sales Executive Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Direct Sales Executive
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 6.3%
Associates 6.2%
Bachelors 62.8%
Masters 22.5%
Doctorate 1.3%
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Direct Sales Executive Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Direct Sales Executive's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Direct Sales Executive

Salaries for a Direct Sales Executive can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $114,008 in 2023 to around $113,583 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Direct Sales Executive salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Direct Sales Executive Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$114,008
2024
$114,335
2025
$113,583
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $114,008
2024 $114,335
2025 $113,583
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Direct Sales Executive

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Direct Sales Executive

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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