Top 10 Highest Paying Sales Jobs in 2026: Rankings, Salaries & How to Get Hired
Discover the best sales jobs for 2026 with detailed salary data, commission structures, trends in tech/AI/healthcare/real estate, pros/cons, and step-by-step career paths for high earners in the USA. Whether you're an entry-level hustler or seasoned pro eyeing a career switch, these roles offer uncapped commissions and remote flexibility--no degree required for many. Get a quick ranking of top roles with average total compensation (base + commissions) right after this intro, plus tips for no-degree entry and remote opportunities.
Quick Answer: The 10 Best Sales Jobs in 2026 Ranked by Earnings Potential
Looking for the highest paying sales careers in the USA? Tech and SaaS lead the pack with average total compensation (OTE) of $140k–$300k, driven by complex B2B deals in AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise software. Healthcare follows with medical device and pharma reps hitting $86k–$320k OTE, while commercial real estate brokers average $196k amid booming markets.
Here's the ranked list based on 2026 data from sources like Nexford University, Accountmakers, Flexjobs, and Research.com:
| Rank | Role | Industry | Avg Base | Avg OTE | Top Earner Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enterprise SaaS Account Executive | Tech/SaaS | $121k | $140k–$220k | $300k+ |
| 2 | Medical Device Sales Rep | Healthcare | $86k | $200k–$320k | $400k+ |
| 3 | Commercial Real Estate Broker | Real Estate | $100k | $196k | $250k+ |
| 4 | Pharmaceutical Sales Rep | Healthcare | $78k | $240k–$320k | $350k+ |
| 5 | Cybersecurity Sales Specialist | Tech | $110k | $180k–$250k | $300k+ |
| 6 | AI Solutions Sales Rep | Emerging Tech | $105k | $170k–$220k | $280k+ |
| 7 | Solar Energy Sales Manager | Renewables | $90k | $150k–$200k | $250k+ |
| 8 | Financial Services Sales (Wealth Mgmt) | Finance | $95k | $160k | $220k+ |
| 9 | Sales Engineer (Software/Tech) | Tech | $115k | $150k–$200k | $250k+ |
| 10 | Luxury Real Estate Agent | Real Estate | $80k | $140k | $200k+ |
Sources: Nexford ($86k med device, $75k software); Accountmakers ($140k tech avg, $220–300k top); Flexjobs (25+ roles >$100k); Research.com (pharma $78k base, $320k OTE at Karl Storz). Emerging fields like AI and solar show 20–50% commission rates with uncapped upside.
Key Takeaways: Highest Paying Sales Jobs at a Glance
- Tech/SaaS dominates: Enterprise AEs average $140k–$300k OTE with remote options booming (Accountmakers).
- CRE brokers hit $196k avg (Salary.com/BISCred), fueled by urban demand.
- Uncapped commissions in 70% of top roles: 20–50% rates common; 100% commission risky but high-reward (SalesForce Search).
- Healthcare heavy-hitters: Med device $86k–$320k; pharma up to $320k OTE (Nexford/Research.com).
- No degree? No problem: 15+ roles like B2B reps accessible (Springboard/SalesRecruitersChicago).
- Remote tech sales exploding: AI/cyber roles offer hybrid flexibility, 6–12% YoY raises (Pulse Recruitment).
- Entry-level potential: SDRs start at $72k, progress to $200k+ (Pipeful).
- 2026 trends: AI stacks boost efficiency; solar/cybersecurity profitability surges (Goodwin/Pulse).
- Top industries by salary: Tech ($140k+), Real Estate ($196k), Healthcare ($200k+ OTE).
Detailed Breakdown of Top Sales Jobs by Industry & Salary
Tech & SaaS Sales (Enterprise AE, SDR Career Path)
SaaS Account Executives close massive B2B deals for enterprise software, averaging $121k base and $140k–$220k OTE (Glassdoor/Accountmakers). Top performers exceed $300k selling AI/cloud solutions. SDRs kick off at $72k (Pipeful), feeding into AE roles. Remote-friendly with uncapped commissions.
Healthcare Sales (Medical Device Rep, Pharma Rep Outlook)
Medical device reps earn $86k avg (Nexford), but OTE hits $200k–$320k via bonuses (Research.com). Pharma reps start at $78k base, reaching $320k at firms like Karl Storz. High travel, relationship-focused; happiness lags at 2.8/5 (Research.com), but pay compensates.
Real Estate & CRE (Broker Earnings, Luxury/Commercial)
Commercial real estate brokers average $196k (Salary.com/BISCred), with 50/50 commission splits scaling to 70/30 for vets (Colibri). Luxury agents hit $140k–$200k+ (HappilyEverHousing). No degree needed; market expertise key.
Emerging High-Payers (AI Sales, Cybersecurity, Solar 2026)
AI sales roles emerge at $170k–$220k OTE (Pulse), leveraging tech literacy. Cybersecurity specialists average $180k–$250k amid $1T spend (NexusIT). Solar sales profitability booms to $150k–$200k with green incentives (Goodwin).
Other Lucrative Roles (Financial Services, Car Sales Manager)
Financial sales offer $160k OTE via 20–30% commissions. Car dealership managers hit $120k+ with bonuses.
Note: Data varies--e.g., Nexford's $86k med device vs. Research.com's $320k OTE--reflecting base vs. total comp.
Sales Engineer vs Account Executive: Pay, Skills & Career Comparison
Sales Engineers (SEs) blend tech demos with sales, earning $115k base/$150k–$200k OTE (Remuner). AEs focus on closing, at $121k base/$140k–$300k OTE (Accountmakers/Rainmakers, $60–150k base range).
| Aspect | Sales Engineer | Account Executive |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Base | $115k | $121k |
| Avg OTE | $150k–$200k | $140k–$220k+ |
| Top Earnings | $250k | $300k+ |
| Skills | Tech demos, product knowledge | Relationship-building, negotiation |
| Pros | Stability, less quota pressure | Uncapped commissions, remote |
| Cons | Less pure sales upside | High pressure, variable income |
SEs suit technical minds; AEs reward closers (Rainmakers data).
Pros & Cons of Top Sales Careers in 2026
| Role | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS AE | Uncapped $300k+, remote, AI tools (Pulse) | Quotas, 52% SDR churn (Salesforce) |
| Med Device Rep | $320k OTE, relationships | Travel, low happiness (2.8/5) |
| CRE Broker | $196k avg, flexibility | Market volatility, 100% commission risk |
| Pharma Rep | High bonuses | Regulations, pressure |
| Cybersecurity | Booming demand, $250k top | Tech learning curve |
Trends: Tech happiness high; 100% commission = high risk (SalesForce Search).
Best Entry-Level Sales Jobs with High Potential (No Degree Required)
- SDR/BDR ($72k, Pipeful)--Prospect leads, path to AE.
- B2B Sales Rep (up to $100k, Springboard)--No degree, complex sales.
- Retail/Car Sales ($30k–$75k, SalesRecruitersChicago)--Build skills.
- Solar Sales ($90k potential, Goodwin).
- Real Estate Agent ($70k–$130k entry).
- Customer Service Rep ($36k start, scales).
- In-Person B2B (3M Expansions)--Mentorship to leadership.
15+ no-degree roles per SalesRecruitersChicago.
How to Land a Top Paying Sales Job in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide & Checklist
SDR to AE Salary Progression & Career Ladder
- Start SDR ($72k) → AE ($140k) in 1–2 years (3 quarters quota, Salesforce).
- Certs: Google Sales, HubSpot.
- Case: 3M Expansions entry-level to manager via mentorship.
Checklist: Skills for High-Commission Roles (Uncapped, Remote Tech)
- [ ] Optimize LinkedIn (Pulse: Stand out in 2026 stacks).
- [ ] Tech literacy (AI/cloud, no coding).
- [ ] Cold outreach mastery.
- [ ] Target AI/cyber firms.
- [ ] Network via Flexjobs.
- No degree OK for 15+ roles.
Steps: 1) Build portfolio. 2) Apply remote tech (Accountmakers). 3) Interview prep (50+ SaaS Qs, Pulse). 4) Hit quotas fast.
2026 Sales Job Market Trends USA: AI, Remote & High Commission Shifts
- 13M+ pros; tech/AI boom (Accountmakers/Pulse).
- 6–12% YoY raises; hybrid/remote in 70% roles.
- AI revolutionizes prospecting (Zendesk).
- Highest commissions: Recruiters 50%, but 20–30% equitable (SalesForce).
- Solar/cyber growth; 25+ $100k+ jobs (Flexjobs).
FAQ
Do you need a degree for the best sales jobs in 2026?
No--15+ high-pay roles like B2B reps, real estate, SDRs require none (Springboard/SalesRecruitersChicago).
What's the highest paying commission-only sales job?
CRE brokers or 100% commission real estate/AI sales, up to $250k+ but risky (SalesForce Search).
How much do SaaS Account Executives earn in 2026?
$121k base, $140k–$300k OTE (Accountmakers/Glassdoor).
Medical device sales vs pharma sales: Which pays more?
Pharma edges with $320k OTE peaks (Research.com) vs. med device's $86k–$320k.
What are the top remote high-paying sales jobs?
SaaS AE, cybersecurity, AI sales ($140k–$250k, Flexjobs/Pulse).
How to start as an SDR and progress to $200k+ earnings?
Master leads → AE in 1–2 years via quotas/certs; tech focus (Salesforce/Pipeful).
