New Pipedrive Survey Finds Half of Americans Underestimate Sales Pay by Over $20k

Pipedrive’s latest Sales Stereotype Report reveals persistent stereotypes, major compensation misconceptions, and growing uncertainty about AI’s impact on sales careers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pipedrive, the easy and effective sales CRM powering over 100,000 sales teams, today released its Sales Stereotype Report, a national survey of 1,000 Americans that exposes a sweeping gap between how Americans view the sales profession and the reality of modern sales careers. The report reveals that while sales is broadly respected, outdated stereotypes, income misconceptions, and uncertainty around AI are shaping public perception and quietly costing companies top talent.

The findings show that 71% of Americans agree that sales is a respected profession, yet more than half (53%) admit they have only surface-level knowledge of what salespeople actually do day-to-day. This disconnect continues to fuel negative assumptions, with nearly one-third of respondents describing salespeople as manipulative or willing to bend the truth despite growing recognition that modern sales requires strategic thinking, deep product knowledge, and strong relationship-building skills.

"Nearly every business depends on sales, yet public perception of the profession remains clouded by outdated stereotypes, compensation myths, and cultural baggage that doesn't reflect what selling actually looks like today," said Paulo Cunha, CEO of Pipedrive. “When people underestimate what the profession pays and demands, talented people opt out of careers they might excel in, and that gap has a trickle-down effect on every organization trying to build a strong team."

Americans significantly underestimate sales compensation

The compensation blind spot is among the report’s most striking findings. Half of respondents believe experienced sales professionals earn less than $70,000 in base salary, which is well below typical market rates for mid-to-senior roles ($85,000-$90,000). Only 16% of Americans believe experienced salespeople earn $100,000 or more in base salary, and just 5% believe top performers can earn $150,000 or more. Meanwhile, 18% of respondents admit they have no idea what salespeople earn at all.

AI fuels uncertainty about the future of sales

Public opinion is sharply divided on how AI and automation will affect sales careers. Nearly one-quarter of respondents (24%) believe sales will become outdated as AI takes over, while just 16% expect sales to gain recognition as a skilled consultative profession, and 12% expect the profession to become more strategic and respected. Only 3% expect AI to improve work-life balance for salespeople.

Income anxiety remains the biggest barrier to entry

Concerns about financial stability are the leading reason Americans believe people avoid sales careers. More than half of respondents (57%) cite inconsistent income or job security as the primary deterrent, followed by pressure to meet quotas (44%) and fears of burnout (28%). At the same time, respondents say sales would be more appealing with higher guaranteed base salaries, stronger belief in a company’s mission, and remote or hybrid flexibility.

These perceptions are shaping who sees sales as a viable career path. Currently, Millennials are defining today’s sales profession, with 34% of Americans saying sales careers appeal most to this generation, while Gen Z represents the next wave of potential talent at 20%.

Sales is at an inflection point, with AI reshaping the role and a new generation forming its opinions. The report underscores the opportunity to redefine the profession, starting with a clearer understanding of how it is perceived.

Methodology

This report is based on a national survey of 1,000 U.S.-based respondents. Respondents answered quantitative questions about their perceptions of the sales profession, including attitudes toward compensation, career appeal, the impact of AI, and the skills they associate with sales success. Data was collected in February 2026 via a structured online questionnaire.

To learn more about The Pipedrive Sales Stereotype Report, you can download the full report here.

About Pipedrive

Founded in 2010, Pipedrive is the easy and effective sales CRM that drives small business growth. Today, Pipedrive is used by revenue teams at more than 100,000 companies worldwide. Pipedrive is headquartered in New York and has offices across Europe and the US. The company is backed by majority holder Vista Equity Partners, and Bessemer Venture Partners, Insight Partners, Atomico and DTCP. Learn more at www.pipedrive.com.