Want to Make More Money in Sales? Move to One of These 10 Cities

As a sales professional, your number one goal (besides crushing your quota) is to maximize your earnings. And while your individual performance certainly plays a big role in the size of your paycheck, another key factor is location, location, location.

Just as costs of living vary widely across the country, so do average salaries for sales jobs. So if you‘re an enterprising sales rep looking to significantly boost your income, the quickest path might be to pack up your desk and move to greener pastures.

But which cities offer the best combination of high salaries, lucrative opportunities, and strong quality of life for salespeople? According to our analysis of the latest salary data and insights from top sales recruiters, these are the 10 highest-paying metro areas for sales jobs in 2024:

Rank	City	Average Total Pay
1	San Francisco, CA	$145,500
2	New York, NY	$132,400
3	Boston, MA	$128,100
4	Seattle, WA	$124,800
5	Los Angeles, CA	$119,500
6	Washington, D.C.	$117,000
7	Chicago, IL	$112,400
8	Austin, TX	$110,500
9	Dallas-Fort Worth, TX	$108,600
10	Denver, CO	$107,800

Let‘s dig into the dynamics driving sales comp in these cities and what it takes to land a high-paying sales gig in each one.

Why Do Sales Salaries Vary So Much by Location?

There are a few key reasons why certain cities consistently top the list for sales earnings:

Cost of living: It‘s no secret that cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles have some of the highest costs of living in the U.S. According to data from NerdWallet, the cost of living in San Francisco is 96% higher than the national average, while New York City clocks in at 129% above average.

With such astronomical housing, transportation, and food costs, employers in these cities have to offer higher salaries just to attract talent. "A six-figure income in San Francisco doesn‘t go nearly as far as it would in a more affordable market," says Amy Volas, founder and CEO of sales recruiting firm Avenue Talent Partners. "Companies have to pay a premium to enable reps to afford the cost of living."

Industry concentration: Many of the highest-paying sales cities are hubs for booming, high-growth industries like tech, biotech, finance, and professional services. San Francisco and Seattle, for example, are global centers of the tech industry, home to giants like Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft as well as countless startups and unicorns.

Boston is a biotech and pharmaceutical mecca, while New York has the world‘s highest concentration of financial services firms. And Austin has emerged as a hotbed for software and IT, earning it the nickname "Silicon Hills."

The presence of so many huge corporations and fast-growing companies in these cities creates fierce competition for sales talent. "In industries with complex, high-dollar products and services, the best sales reps and account executives can have an outsized impact on revenue," says Scott Halligan, CRO at Boston-based cybersecurity firm Tenable. "The most successful companies are willing to pay top dollar for rainmakers who can land big deals and drive growth."

Types of sales roles: The composition of sales roles and teams also differs across cities and industries. In the software and tech world, it‘s common for companies to have large teams of sales development reps (SDRs) focused on prospecting and lead generation, along with high-powered account executives (AEs) who close deals and manage major accounts.

According to Volas, AE salaries for enterprise software companies in San Francisco and New York commonly range from $200,000 to $250,000 or higher at the senior levels. "When you‘re selling million-dollar deals to Fortune 500 companies, the earnings potential is tremendous for top performers," she says.

In other industries and cities, the SDR/AE model may be less prominent, with more hybrid sales roles that blend prospecting and closing. Typical compensation levels may be lower but still well into the six figures for successful reps.

Company funding and growth stage: The prevailing sales comp models and philosophies vary not just by industry and role but by company size and maturity. In San Francisco and other startup hubs, early-stage companies often dangle uncapped commissions and potentially life-changing equity packages to lure talented reps.

According to a survey by sales comp advisory firm Spiff, early-stage companies (seed to Series A funding) allocate 26% of their revenue to sales commissions on average, compared to just 14% for later-stage, established businesses.

"Joining a hyper-growth startup is high-risk, high-reward," says Jason Lemkin, CEO of SaaStr, a leading community for software sales and marketing professionals. "If you pick the right rocketship and knock it out of the park, you could earn $500k, $1 million or more per year with commissions and stock. But you have to bet on the right horse."

Breaking Down the Comp Mix: Base Pay vs. Commission

Within those eye-popping average total pay figures, there‘s significant variation in how much comes from base salary versus commissions and bonuses. And this mix tends to vary across cities and industries too.

In general, sales roles in the highest cost-of-living cities like San Francisco and New York tend to have the highest ratio of base pay to total compensation. According to Halligan, AE roles at top tech companies in the Bay Area often have base salaries in the $140-160k range, plus target commissions of $140-160k or more, for total on-target earnings (OTE) of $280-320k+.

"With such a high cost of living, reps need a substantial base to afford housing and other expenses," Halligan says. "But the upside commission potential is still huge for overperformers."

In slightly lower cost cities like Austin, Chicago, and Denver, the base/commission split may skew more heavily toward variable pay. "A 50/50 split between base and commission is common, with on-target earnings in the $200-250k range," says David Aronica, a revenue leader who has built sales teams for companies like Salesforce and LinkedIn. "As you get into more bonus-heavy roles like customer success, up to 70-80% may be variable comp."

Of course, these ratios can vary widely across companies, industries, and individual roles. Some companies offer high base salaries but relatively low commission rates, providing more pay security and predictability for reps. Others dangle whopping commission percentages and escalating accelerators for overperformance, with less guaranteed pay.

"There‘s no one-size-fits-all approach to sales comp design," says Poya Osgouei, co-founder and CEO of Spiff. "Your commission and bonus mix depends on a range of factors like your sales cycle, deal sizes, level of rep autonomy, and overall philosophy on rewarding individual vs. team performance."

Beyond the Paycheck: Other Factors to Consider

While sexy OTE figures may be the biggest driver for many salespeople, money isn‘t everything. As you evaluate potential sales opportunities in different cities, there are a host of other factors to weigh that can impact your success, satisfaction, and overall quality of life:

Cost of living: Those big salaries may lose their luster if sky-high rents and $15 lattes eat up most of your take-home pay. Before you make a cross-country move chasing dollar signs, be sure to do your research on the cost of living in your target city. Helpful tools like Numbeo, Payscale, and NerdWallet‘s cost of living calculator can give you a clearer picture of how far your income will stretch.

"I took a sales job in San Francisco a few years ago that came with a big raise on paper," recalls Molly O‘Hare, an enterprise account executive. "But after factoring in the insane cost of housing, transportation, and other necessities, I was barely breaking even compared to my previous role in a more affordable city. Crunch the numbers carefully."

Growth opportunities: In addition to your starting pay, consider the longer-term career potential in each city. How many management and leadership roles are available within your industry? Are there ample opportunities to advance to enterprise AE, team lead, sales manager, and beyond? Look for companies with defined career paths and a proven track record of promoting from within.

"In a mature market like Chicago or Dallas, you may hit an advancement ceiling faster than in a high-growth hub like Austin or Denver," says Aronica. "Think not just about this role but the next 2-3 steps in your career journey."

Territory and customer base: The quality and composition of your sales territory can be just as important as your comp plan in determining your earnings potential. Are you selling to Fortune 500 enterprises or small businesses? Will you cover a few key accounts or an entire geographic region?

Research the major companies and types of customers in each city within your industry niche. "If you sell software to hedge funds and investment banks, you‘ll probably crush your quota in New York," says Lemkin. "But if you‘re in ad tech, SF or LA may be more target-rich environments."

Lifestyle and culture: Finally, consider your overall happiness and quality of life. Do you thrive in a fast-paced, high-intensity environment or prefer more work-life balance? Are you energized by constant networking and social events or do you like to keep work and personal life separate?

Each city has its own vibe, weather, recreational activities, and cultural amenities that may (or may not) align with your lifestyle. "I love the energy and ‘always-on‘ nature of New York," says Talia Berman, a fintech sales leader. "But I have plenty of colleagues who burned out and moved to Chicago or Austin for a slower pace and more affordable, family-friendly setting. There‘s no right answer, but be honest about what makes you tick."

Tips for Landing a Blockbuster Sales Job

Sold on the idea of moving to a high-paying sales city? Follow these strategies to position yourself for the most desirable and lucrative roles:

1. Build a killer resume and LinkedIn profile. Highlight your biggest deals, revenue numbers, and quota attainment. Gather glowing recommendations from managers and clients. Clearly convey your industry expertise and value prop.

2. Tap your network. Reach out to former colleagues, classmates, and connections who work in your target companies and cities. Ask for introductions, referrals, and insights into the sales landscape and hiring process.

3. Crush your interview. Prepare, prepare, prepare. Record yourself on video and critique your performance. Have dozens of stories and examples demonstrating your sales acumen and industry knowledge. Close the hiring manager by articulating how you‘ll add value.

4. Negotiate fearlessly. Don‘t just accept the first offer on the table. Understand your market worth using tools like Glassdoor and Salary.com. Make a strong counter and negotiate for the best possible combination of base, commission, equity, benefits, and perks.

5. Consider relocation assistance. Moving to a new city can be expensive, between breaking your lease, hiring movers, and fronting deposits. Many companies offer relocation bonuses or reimbursements to help defray these costs. If it‘s not explicitly offered, it never hurts to ask as part of your negotiation.

Bringing Home the Bacon in the Best Sales Cities

There you have it, enterprising sales pros. If you‘re willing to pull up stakes and relocate to one of these high-paying sales meccas, you have the chance to seriously level up your earnings and career trajectory.

San Francisco, New York, Boston, and other major hubs offer unparalleled opportunities to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing, work with the world‘s most valuable companies, and rake in enviable commissions. But you‘ll also contend with brutal costs of living, cutthroat competition, and high-pressure environments.

Slightly smaller cities like Austin, Chicago, Denver and the up-and-coming Miami offer compelling combinations of solid incomes, lower living costs, strong growth opportunities, and appealing lifestyles. But your pure earning potential may not quite hit the same heights as the coastal giants.

Ultimately, the right city for you depends on your unique mix of priorities, preferences, and career goals. Do your research, talk to people in your network, and visit in person if possible before taking the plunge into a major move. A six-figure sales job can be a ticket to the good life – if you make a smart, well-reasoned bet on your next chapter.