Car Sales Manager Salary Guide 2025: Base Pay, Commissions & Bonuses Explained - British Academy For Training & Development

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Car Sales Manager Salary Guide 2025: Base Pay, Commissions & Bonuses Explained

Working as a car sales manager can be both a fulfilling and lucrative career. In this guide, we will cover how much a car sales manager can expect to earn, including average pay scale, commission structure, and average pay by state and years of experience. Whether you are new to the auto sales game or looking to advance into management, understanding the salary and commission potential is essential to planning your career path. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about car sales manager pay in today's competitive landscape.

How much do car sales managers make?

Car sales managers frequently make a base salary plus commissions and bonuses. Here are some key points about car sales managers compensation: 

  • Commission and Bonuses: In addition to a steady base salary, most car dealership managers also are paid commissions and bonuses for performance that can greatly increase their total take-home pay.

  • Top Earners: Managers with experience at top-performing dealerships can expect to earn over $130,000 a year as well, particularly managing a larger group of employees and driving sales performance and accountability.

Average Salary of Manager Make Guide

The Average Salary of Managers Guide gives you an overview of the typical pay for management positions, paycheques that include base pay, bonuses, and commissions. It will allow those looking for a job and those currently in a position to know what to expect regarding pay levels across industries and levels of experience. It will be helpful for thinking about career growth and salary negotiations. Here are some highlights of the manager's guide. :

1. Car Sales Manager Average Salary

This keyword is geared towards those searching for specific salaries. In the U.S., car sales managers make on average as low as $60,000 up to $90,000 a year or even more, depending on the person's experience, the size of the dealership and the location. The base pay does not typically include enhanced commissions and bonuses.

2. Car Sales Manager Salary by Experience

Salaries vary widely depending on the level of experience. For an entry-level sales manager, a starting salary might be $50,000, but those with 5+ years of experience may make more than $100,000. Sales managers with experience will earn a salary on top of incentives and bonuses for leading sales teams. To enhance your career prospects and earning potential, consider pursuing the Sales Professional Certificate offered by the British Academy for Training and Development.

3. Car Sales Manager Commission Structure

Commissions can provide a significant increase to a manager’s income. Many dealers employ bonuses for car sales managers based on team performance, unit sales, and/or profit margins. The unpredictable component of compensation makes the role financially appealing.

4. Car Sales Manager Pay by Location

Location is a key factor in salary. Take car sales managers, for example. In metropolitan areas like Los Angeles or New York, the car sales managers can earn 15-25% more than the national average from their market demands and vehicle pricing.

5. High-Earning Car Sales Managers

Top sales managers in high-volume dealerships (or luxury brands) can earn over $130,000 annually. Their positions allow them to lead large teams and create volume deals with aggressive commission plans (the standard for many top-tier luxury brands). 

Earnings of Car Sales Manager Make Guide

The Car Sales Manager Salary Guide provides useful information about how much car sales managers make as well as base salaries, commissions, and bonuses. The guide explains that there are different factors that can affect what car sales managers make, such as the car sales manager's experience level, the car sales manager's salary range in a certain location and the type of store where the car sales manager works.

1. Base Salary of Car Sales Managers

Car sales managers generally receive a base salary that can differ depending on dealership size and location, but it typically falls between $50,000 and $90,000 annually. This is the guaranteed income that serves as the base of a car sales management professional's income. 

2. Impact of Experience on Earnings

Earnings usually improve with experience, as entry-level managers may make less than mid-range managers, while experienced automotive sales management with a reliable track record will make more than $120,000 per year.

3. Regional Salary Differences

Geographic location is a big factor in income, which is why car sales managers in cities like New York or Los Angeles earn 15-25% above the national average: a high volume of sales and market demands generally drive higher incomes.  

4. Earnings Potential in High-Volume Dealerships

Sales managers at major car dealerships or luxury dealerships may earn even more (igosinc.com) from higher commission rates and bonuses exceeding $130,000 a year.

5. Influence of Dealership Type on Earnings

The type of dealership can vary the earnings, as a new car, used car, or luxury dealership will earn differently. Luxury and high-end dealerships tend to have higher commissions and bonuses than the local standard car lot or used car dealer.

6. Role of Sales Targets in Compensation

The sales manager's pay is usually contingent on the monthly or quarterly sales targets for the dealership. If the sales manager can maintain sales this month over targets, the dealership will often pay more in compensation for exceeding sales targets. 

7. Annual Salary Growth Trends

Salaries and commissions paid to car sales managers typically grow over time with longer tenure and higher sales. More established managers will likely have many more responsibilities as managers, and there may be demand in the market for their expertise as leaders. 

8. Negotiating Salary and Incentives

Negotiation prowess can help car sales managers attain better base pay and commission rates of ongoing pay structures. An understanding of industry standards and employee pay is fundamental to ensuring you maximise your earning potential during new offers or annual evaluations.

Car Sales Manager Commission and Bonuses

The car sales manager bonuses and commissions are a tremendous opportunity to earn additional income on top of your base salary. Sales managers' bonus and commission pay is usually heavily based on performance, typically in relation to monthly or quarterly sales targets, team productivity, or dealership revenue. 

Some bonuses are offered at greater payouts for hitting severely stretched goals of productivity, sustaining a high customer satisfaction rating or simply leading highly performing teams. In some retail dealerships, regardless of the sales manager's position, there are no caps on compensation in the department, which means the best managers can potentially earn in excess of $130,000 per year.