Automotive Dealership Sales Managers

Job opportunities for sales managers who work at automobile dealers are expected to decline by 8.5 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The decline is being caused by the decreasing number of automobile dealers and other factors. As of midyear 2023, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, there were 16,839 new car dealerships nationwide (down from 47,500 in 1951). Although employment is expected to decline, dealerships will continue to need sales managers to oversee sales teams and meet car sales goals for dealership owners. Most openings will arise due to the need to replace sales managers who retire or leave the field for other reasons.

Opportunities are better for sales managers who work outside automobile dealerships. Employment of sales managers in all industries is projected to increase by 4 percent from 2022 to 2032. This is about as fast as the average for all occupations. "An effective sales team remains crucial for profitability," according to the DOL. "As the economy grows, organizations will focus on generating new sales and will look to their sales strategy as a way to increase competitiveness."