Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for educators and professionals aiming to lead in vocational instruction, this program equips individuals with the expertise to teach sales, marketing, and distribution operations across secondary and postsecondary educational environments. It emphasizes practical, industry-aligned pedagogy to prepare students for roles in training the next generation of sales and marketing professionals.
- Sales and Distribution Systems: Explores the structure and function of modern sales channels, including direct, indirect, and digital distribution networks, and their role in supply chain efficiency.
- Marketing Strategy and Planning: Focuses on developing data-driven marketing plans, target audience analysis, brand positioning, and campaign execution across diverse markets.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Covers tools and techniques for managing customer interactions, improving retention, and leveraging data to enhance sales performance.
- Business Communication and Negotiation: Develops advanced interpersonal and persuasive communication skills essential for sales presentations, client interactions, and conflict resolution.
- Technology Integration in Sales Operations: Examines digital platforms, automation tools, and analytics used to streamline sales processes and improve decision-making.
- Instructional Design for Vocational Education: Teaches methods for creating effective, hands-on curricula tailored to real-world sales and marketing environments.
- Industry Standards and Ethics: Addresses professional conduct, regulatory compliance, and ethical practices in sales, marketing, and distributive education settings.
Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations degrees, including Business Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary and Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 370,670 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2032 | $63,910 | $48,840 - $98,720 | 104,450 | N/A |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2023 | $63,620 | $47,090 - $98,430 | 14,200 | N/A |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1194 | $61,490 | $38,680 - $106,580 | 111,150 | $29.56 |
Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $56,910 in Hawaii to $91,153 in Alaska—a 60% difference. The highest-paying states include Alaska, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 370,670 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 2 institutions offering Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations is found at University of Wisconsin-Stout (8 graduates), and Central Washington University (CWU) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 9 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations programs
How much can I earn with a Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations degree?
Salaries for Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations graduates vary by role and location. Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $97,270 annually, while Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $72,090. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alaska average $91,153 compared to $56,910 in Hawaii. Approximately 370,670 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations programs?
Currently 2 accredited institutions offer Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Wisconsin-Stout (8 graduates), Central Washington University (CWU) (1 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 36 in 2010 to 9 in 2023-24. This represents a 75% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Sales, Marketing, and Distribution Operations degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Business Teachers, Postsecondary, Education Teachers, Postsecondary, and Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School. Related occupations employ approximately 370,670 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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