How much money can your next hire make for your company? This question is top of mind for every hiring manager, but it’s rarely easy to answer. In most fields, calculating revenue by employee is challenging since each individual’s impact is indirect. Thankfully, this is not the case for Sales.
Whether you’re hiring a sales representative, manager, or executive — their goal is to generate revenue. And their direct impact on your earnings determines their success. Every business operates differently, but the value of of top sales talent is universally measurable and consistently substantial.
From B2B enterprises to B2C startups, winning sales personnel are the key to sustainable growth. In this article, we’ll explore 5 powerful statistics that reveal what top sales talent is worth, how they can contribute to your goals, and why brands continuously compete to hire high performers.
1. 81% expect top sales talent to generate $1M+ annually.
According to a recent Onward Search poll, 81% of respondents believe top B2B sales talent will earn their companies over $1 million in annual revenue. High performers can even bring in upwards of $10 million individually each year. While exact benchmarks vary across roles and companies, the best salespeople rise to the top and consistently outperform their peers. If you’re looking to drive revenue — experienced, high-performing sales professionals are invaluable assets.
2. Unfilled sales roles can cost you $20K per week.
The value of top sales talent lies both in the gains they drive and the losses they prevent. When left vacant, sales positions can create substantial revenue gaps. Some studies suggest that every week a sales role remains unfilled can cost a company up to $20,000 in potential business. To avoid financial hits and maintain revenue flow, you should maintain a pipeline of prospective hires and prioritize filling open sales positions quickly.
3. Sales experts often generate 5-10 times their salary.
At many B2B companies, sales professionals are expected to produce 5 to 10 times their total compensation. While different organizations target different ratios, you typically have more control over your returns when hiring sales talent. Strategic hiring managers build candidate profiles, create their own benchmarks, and carefully structure compensation packages to maximize ROI. By finding skilled experts and aligning salaries with performance, you can ensure every hire is a strong investment.
4. High performers increase profitability by 30%.
Hiring the top 20% most talented candidates also has proven benefits beyond immediate revenue. Research shows that high performers can increase productivity by 10%, sales by 20%, and profitability by 30%. For sales professionals, these figures are likely even higher due to the direct connections between individual sales success, company revenue, and overall profitability. If you’re hiring, don’t let the best candidates get lost in the sea of applications. Vet every candidate thoroughly, look for stories of measurable success, and hire based on a track record of performance.
5. The top 10-20% can bring in 60-80% of your total sales.
Finally, the most accomplished sales professionals don’t just contribute to organizational goals; they carry teams wherever they go. Specifically, the top 10-20% of sales talent often yield 60-80% of their organization’s total revenue. If you’re considering where to invest in 2025, you must recognize that skilled sales talent isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Don’t settle for the professionals that ask for less; invest in the expert that’s worth more, and watch your revenue soar.
Conclusion
As the new year approaches, companies everywhere are investing in the roles that drive revenue. After all, the bottom line is the ultimate focus of every successful business. Recent market shifts have only renewed leaders’ resolve.
To date, over 2 million sales-related positions opened in the U.S. in 2024 alone — a trend our specialized recruiters have witnessed firsthand. Our team personally helped a nation-leading real estate enterprise work toward its goal of hiring 500+ sales professionals. Our talent’s contributions helped the organization bring in $650 million in revenue in a single quarter.
Sales is a numbers game, and the numbers don’t lie. No matter your strategy, recruiting and retaining proven expertise is integral to your success. From lead generation to customer acquisition, it takes top talent to achieve great results.
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