Inside Sales Manager

Salary: what employees earn

Actual salary (BA Entgeltatlas), not a pay scale. Median pay of full-time employees subject to social insurance; part-time is not included. The salary in your contract may differ.

• Region: Germany
• Applies to the occupational group KldB 61123 This occupational group covers several occupations, not only this one.
• Data import: October 2026
• Reference period of the figure: not stated in the dataset
• The source states the number of cases and the publication threshold.

Source: BA-Entgeltatlas

More about this figure

Minimum rates are not actual salaries and are listed in the pay scale section.

Your own calculation: hourly rate

Convert your monthly gross pay into an hourly rate. This is a calculation from your own input, not a comparison with the median. Nothing is stored.

Pay scales and minimum rates

These are minimums if the stated scope applies to your employment. This is not legal advice.

Statutory minimum wage

• Statutory

  €13.90 per hour

  valid from 2026-01-01, until 2026-12-31

  § 1 Nr. 1 MiLoV5: „ab 1. Januar 2026 13,90 Euro brutto je Zeitstunde“

Source: Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 268 · As of 2026-10-27

Upcoming rates (1)

• Statutory

  €14.60 per hour

  valid from 2027-01-01 · upcoming

  § 1 Nr. 2 MiLoV5: „ab 1. Januar 2027 14,60 Euro brutto je Zeitstunde“

Source: Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 268 · As of 2026-10-27

Terms explained

Generally binding collective agreement (AVE)

A collective agreement that the labour ministry has declared binding for all employers in a sector – even without union membership.

Framework agreement (Manteltarifvertrag)

Sets general working conditions such as working hours, leave and notice periods, not the level of pay.

Pay agreement (Entgelttarifvertrag)

Sets how much is paid per pay grade.

Pay grade (Entgeltgruppe)

The classification by task and qualification. It decides which amount in the pay table applies to you.

Career: possible moves

Occupations people move to from this one. Every rating shows how it was derived.

• Projektmanager/Projektmanagerin

  Management & Strategie

  Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

  Rating: extrem

  Derivation

  What you bring: Führung und Team Management, communication, KPI-Tracking

  What is still missing: Confluence, Kanban, Prompt Engineering, Strategic Finance

  According to the dataset: qualification paths

  Show qualification routes (4)

  • Confluence
    1 option

    • Praxiserfahrung
      Description from the dataset

      Kollaborations- und Dokumentations-Plattformen werden neu aufgebaut — durch direkten Einsatz im Projektalltag; die Einarbeitungszeit ist bei digitaler Grundkompetenz gering.

  • Agiles Aufgabenmanagement
    1 option

    • IHK-/Kammer-Zertifikatslehrgang
      Description from the dataset

      Anerkannte Projektmanagement-Zertifizierung (klassisch oder agil) bei einem IHK-, Hochschul- oder Berufsverbandsträger; vermittelt iterative Planungs- und Steuerungsmethoden, Aufgabenpriorisierung und visuelle Arbeitsfluss-Steuerung. Führungs- und Kommunikationskompetenz sind bereits vorhanden und übertragbar.

  • Prompt Engineering
    1 option

    • Praxiserfahrung
      Description from the dataset

      Grundlagen des Prompt Engineerings (effektiver Einsatz von KI-Assistenzsystemen in Projektarbeit) werden neu aufgebaut — durch eigenständige Erprobung und Nutzung frei verfügbarer Lernressourcen und Best-Practice-Sammlungen.

  • Strategisches Finanzmanagement
    1 option

    • IHK-/Kammer-Zertifikatslehrgang
      Description from the dataset

      Zertifikatslehrgang Projektcontrolling oder betriebliches Finanzmanagement bei einem IHK- oder Hochschulträger; vermittelt Budgetplanung, Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse und grundlegende betriebswirtschaftliche Steuerung im Projektkontext. KPI-Tracking ist bereits vorhanden und übertragbar.

  Check this switch

Further paths have not been researched reliably yet.

Where else you can go

Routes many people do not think of straight away. Every statement names source and date; what is missing reads “not documented yet”.

• Certified sales specialist (Berufsspezialist für Vertrieb)

  You choose and carry out sales activities, keep customer relationships and win new customers. You plan operational sales work, offer individual solutions and conduct sales and terms negotiations.

  Why you fit

  The ordinance tests these sales tasks. Your sales practice can be the required link. Whether it is enough is decided by the competent body.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  Admission requires the conditions of section 53b of the Vocational Training Act plus a final exam in a recognised training occupation of three years, or one of two years followed by at least one year of practice, or at least 60 credit points in a degree plus at least two years of practice, or at least four years of practice. Practice on the last three routes must have substantial links to the tasks in section 1 (3). People who show comparable occupational competence can also be admitted.

  Source: VertrFPrV section 2 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Duration

  The ordinance sets no course length in months. Acquiring the skills usually requires a learning volume of at least 400 hours.

  Source: VertrFPrV section 1 (4) · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  There is an entitlement to funding of course and exam fees up to a total of 15,000 euros. 50 percent of this measure contribution is paid as a grant. Beyond that there is an entitlement to conclude a loan contract with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau.

  Source: Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) section 12 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Salary

  The Entgeltatlas reports, for KldB 61123 at specialist level, median monthly gross pay of 5,641 euros (lower quartile 4,215 euros, upper quartile 7,343 euros, 234,080 employees). The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. BERUFENET places this sales specialist in that group. There is no separate pay figure for the exam alone.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 61123 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Particulars

  A preparatory course is not required for admission. Length depends on the course, on teaching time and on the form of learning.

  Source: BERUFENET, certified sales specialist · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Ask the competent body about admission before you book a course. If the course is eligible, apply for upgrading assistance before it starts.

  Save
• Certified trade specialist, sales-control elective

  You plan, lead and steer tasks in retail, wholesale, foreign trade and functional trade. In the second written exam part you choose one area, and sales control is one of them.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET lists this exam as an upgrading step after the certified sales specialist. The ordinance allows sales control as an elective.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  Admission to the first written part is open to people with a final exam in a recognised three-year commercial training occupation in trade plus at least one year of practice, or a salesperson exam or another recognised three-year commercial-administrative training occupation plus at least two years, or a warehouse-operator exam plus at least three years, or at least 90 ECTS in a business degree plus at least two years of practice, or at least five years of practice. Practice must be in sales or other commercial work in institutional or functional trade.

  Source: HdlFachwPrV section 2 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Duration

  Full time 3 to 5 months, part time 12 to 18 months. Length depends on the course.

  Source: BERUFENET, trade specialist (further training) · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  There is an entitlement to funding of course and exam fees up to a total of 15,000 euros. 50 percent of this measure contribution is paid as a grant. Beyond that there is an entitlement to conclude a loan contract with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau.

  Source: Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) section 12 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Salary

  The Entgeltatlas reports, for KldB 61203 at specialist level, median monthly gross pay of 6,209 euros (lower quartile 4,195 euros, upper quartile 7,202 euros, 9,891 employees). The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. BERUFENET places the trade specialist in this group.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 61203 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Particulars

  The second written exam part covers trade marketing, procurement and logistics, plus one elective. The electives are sales control, trade logistics, purchasing and foreign trade. You name the elective when you register for the second part.

  Source: HdlFachwPrV section 3 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Ask the chamber of commerce whether your practice counts as trade, and choose the sales-control elective when you register.

  Save
• Area and regional sales manager

  You lead the sales activities of a company or a division and are responsible for revenue targets. You lead the sales team, adjust strategies and also take on individual sales and marketing tasks.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET lists the certified sales specialist among the entry occupations. A search for Inside Sales lands on this entry. The synonyms there are area sales manager and regional sales manager.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  not documented yet

  Duration

  not documented yet

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  not documented yet

  Salary

  The Entgeltatlas reports, for KldB 61124 at expert level, median monthly gross pay of 7,128 euros (lower quartile 5,282 euros, 85,651 employees). An upper quartile is not published for this cell. The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. BERUFENET places this occupation in that group.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 61124 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Particulars

  A BERUFENET search for Inside Sales returns Sales-Manager/in and Vertriebsassistent/in. There is no entry titled Inside Sales Manager among the results.

  Source: BERUFENET, search Inside Sales · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Look at the next sales role in your company: whether it leads a team and a territory, and which certificate the vacancy names.

  Save

Show more routes (5)

• Manager for digital sales channels

  You are responsible for selling products or services through digital channels and you improve digital sales processes. You develop solutions, check their effect and work with product and marketing teams.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET lists the certified sales specialist among the entry occupations. On the sales-specialist page this role appears among alternatives for parts of the work.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  not documented yet

  Duration

  not documented yet

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  not documented yet

  Salary

  BERUFENET places this occupation in KldB 61124 at expert level, the same group as the sales manager. The Entgeltatlas reports median monthly gross pay of 7,128 euros for that group (lower quartile 5,282 euros, 85,651 employees). An upper quartile and a separate figure for digital channels are not published in this cell.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 61124 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Check whether the role leads digital channels or classic inside sales, and which certificate the vacancy names.

  Save
• Customer-relationship manager

  You build customer relationships, maintain them and develop them further. You analyse needs, carry out sales activities and judge success from sales figures.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET lists the certified sales specialist among the entry occupations. On the sales-specialist page this role appears among alternatives for parts of the work.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  not documented yet

  Duration

  not documented yet

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  not documented yet

  Salary

  The Entgeltatlas reports, for KldB 92133 at specialist level, median monthly gross pay of 6,018 euros (lower quartile 4,306 euros, upper quartile 7,930 euros, 90,237 employees). The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. BERUFENET places this occupation in that group, not in sales group 61123.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 92133 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Particulars

  People in this occupation mostly work in offices and meeting rooms and at customers. BERUFENET also describes a lot of travel, with appointments often set by the customer.

  Source: BERUFENET, Account-Manager/in · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Check whether the role looks after existing customers or new business, and which certificate the vacancy names.

  Save
• Head of sales

  You coordinate sales activities, develop sales strategies and set areas and sub-targets. You lead staff, look after important customers and run sales controlling.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET ranks the certified sales specialist as an alternative at a lower qualification level. The entry list names commercial further training and degrees, including the trade specialist, the e-commerce specialist and the certified business economist.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  not documented yet

  Duration

  not documented yet

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  not documented yet

  Salary

  The Entgeltatlas reports, for KldB 61194 at expert level, median monthly gross pay of 7,673 euros (lower quartile 5,838 euros, 90,438 employees). An upper quartile is not published for this cell. The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. BERUFENET places head of sales in this group.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 61194 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Look at the leadership role in your company: what it actually does and which certificate the vacancy names.

  Save
• Bachelor's degree in marketing and sales

  You take a first degree in marketing and sales. Depending on the programme the awards are Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, at universities of applied sciences and vocational academies, including dual programmes.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET lists this subject as an upgrading step after the certified sales specialist. With that certificate BERUFENET describes higher-education access even without a school-leaving certificate that grants it.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  not documented yet

  Duration

  Standard period of study 6 to 8 semesters. Average actual duration 8 semesters. BERUFENET cites the Federal Statistical Office, examination year 2024.

  Source: BERUFENET, marketing and sales (first degree) · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Cost

  Costs can arise for enrolment and administration fees and for semester contributions, and sometimes tuition fees. BERUFENET states no amounts.

  Source: BERUFENET, marketing and sales (first degree) · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Funding

  not documented yet

  Salary

  BERUFENET places this subject in KldB 92113 at specialist level. The Entgeltatlas reports median monthly gross pay of 5,546 euros (lower quartile 4,164 euros, upper quartile 7,472 euros, 123,925 employees). The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. There is no pay figure for graduates of this degree alone.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 92113 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Particulars

  A regular degree is not paid. Practice phases may be paid. A dual degree is paid. BERUFENET states no amount. For universities of applied sciences and vocational academies BERUFENET names at least the entrance qualification for those institutions or a certificate recognised as equivalent.

  Source: BERUFENET, marketing and sales (first degree) · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Ask a higher-education institution in your Land which access your certificate gives, and whether a dual programme can run alongside the job.

  Save
• Master Professional in Business Management

  You prepare business-policy decisions and put them into practice, in organisations of different size and industry, including self-employment. The exam is the third level of further training.

  Why you fit

  BERUFENET lists this certificate among the entry occupations for the sales manager and for head of sales. Admission is tied to a specialist commercial certificate or a comparable one.

  The route there

  Further training and exam

  Admission requires the conditions of section 53d of the Vocational Training Act and a Fachwirt or Fachkaufmann certificate or a comparable commercial further-training certificate under that Act, or a commercial Fachwirt under the Crafts Code, or a state exam at a commercial technical school built on an apprenticeship plus at least one year of practice, or an economics diploma, master's or bachelor's degree plus at least one year of practice. Practice after technical school or a degree must have substantial links to the tasks in section 2 (3). A course is not required by this admission rule. People who show comparable competence can also be admitted.

  Source: GepBetrWMAProBusManFV section 3 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Duration

  not documented yet

  Cost

  not documented yet

  Funding

  There is an entitlement to funding of course and exam fees up to a total of 15,000 euros. 50 percent of this measure contribution is paid as a grant. Beyond that there is an entitlement to conclude a loan contract with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau.

  Source: Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) section 12 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Salary

  The Entgeltatlas reports, for KldB 71303 at specialist level, median monthly gross pay of 5,926 euros (lower quartile 4,605 euros, upper quartile 7,441 euros, 40,736 employees). The cell is Germany, all genders, all ages, all industries. BERUFENET places this certificate in that group. That is not group 61194 of head of sales.

  Source: Entgeltatlas of the Federal Employment Agency, KldB 71303 · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Particulars

  Participation in further training is not paid. Course and exam fees usually apply. BERUFENET states no single fee.

  Source: BERUFENET, business economist (Vocational Training Act) · As of 2026-10-30 (retrieved)

  Your next step: Ask the competent body whether your certificate counts as a Fachwirt or as comparable before you book a course.

  Save

What matters to you

Choose what matters to you, if you like. We then show the matching facts about this job. There is no weighting, no rating and no overall score.

What matters to you? (optional, several possible)

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Financial situationSecurity & predictabilityWork environment & belongingRecognition & competenceGrowth & self-determination

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How we assign facts

• Financial situation: Salary, Pay scales
• Security & predictability: Pay scales, Job market
• Work environment & belonging: No data
• Recognition & competence: Skills
• Growth & self-determination: Career, Skills

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