Is sales a good career for women?
Sales can be a very good career for women, especially if you want flexible, work-from-home hours and pay that grows with your skill. The honest catch: many remote sales roles are commission-heavy or commission-only, income usually starts slowly, and women in sales are still paid less than men on average. In Australia, SEEK lists a typical advertised range of $70K to $90K for sales consultants, and in the US, full-time women in sales and related jobs had median weekly earnings of $906 in 2025 (BLS). She Sells, with a team in Australia and the US, trains women for remote closing and appointment setting and helps She Soars graduates find a role.
The quick verdict: pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Pay can grow with skill, through commission or bonuses | Commission-only roles mean slow weeks are low-pay weeks |
| Many roles can be done from home | Women are still paid less than men in sales, on average |
| No degree needed for many entry roles | Results take time; the first months are usually lean |
| Skills transfer from teaching, nursing, retail and parenting | Rejection is a daily part of the job |
| Part-time and evening schedules exist, especially in remote roles | Scams and MLMs often pose as “sales jobs” |
If the cons don’t scare you off, keep reading. If commission is a dealbreaker, that’s a perfectly sensible answer too.
What sales pays: AU and US data
These are public figures we checked in October 2026. They’re a rough guide, not a forecast, and your pay will depend on the role, the offer you sell, your hours and how commission works.
| Role | Market | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales consultant | Australia (AUD) | Typical $70K to $90K a year, advertised full-time salaries | SEEK |
| Sales and related occupations, women, full time | US (USD) | Median weekly earnings $906 (men: $1,258) | BLS, 2025 annual averages |
| Sales representatives of services, women, full time | US (USD) | Median weekly earnings $1,263 (men: $1,641) | BLS, 2025 annual averages |
| Appointment setter | US (USD) | Median $16.08 an hour; total pay $28K to $47K a year | Payscale (76 profiles, May 2026) |
For context, the median weekly earnings for all full-time US women workers in the same BLS table was $1,089. So “sales and related” as a whole (which includes a lot of retail work) pays women less than average, while sales representative roles pay more. The job you choose inside sales matters a lot.
The gender gap is real in both countries. In Australia, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency puts the private sector average total remuneration gender pay gap at 21.1% across all industries. Sales isn’t immune. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go into sales. It means you should negotiate, understand your commission plan and choose employers carefully.
For remote closer numbers specifically, see how much remote closers make.
The honest bit about commission
This is the part a lot of “sales is amazing for women” posts skip. Many remote sales jobs, particularly closing for online coaches and course creators, pay commission-only and are set up as contractor roles.
- Australia: the Fair Work Ombudsman says an employee can be paid commission-only only when their award or enterprise agreement allows it, and employees not covered by an award or agreement must still get at least the National Minimum Wage. Contractors are different, so ask which you’d be.
- US: the IRS says a remote worker can still be an employee if the business controls what is done and how. Commission-only contractor roles usually mean no base pay and handling your own tax.
Commission isn’t bad. Once you’re skilled and working with a good offer and steady leads, it can reward you well. But while you’re learning, it’s a risk. If your household needs a set amount each month, look for base-plus-commission roles first or keep other income going. Our guide to commission-only sales jobs goes deeper.
Want to see if a sales career could work for you? Book a free call with the She Sells team.
Flexibility: does sales really fit around family?
Remote sales is one of the more flexible paths into a professional income, but “flexible” means different things in different jobs.
- Working from home is mainstream now. The ABS found 36% of employed Australians usually worked from home in August 2025.
- You can ask for flexibility in Australia. Under the Fair Work rules, employees with 12 months’ service who care for a child of school age or younger can request flexible working arrangements. In the US, ask each employer what flexibility they actually offer.
- Calls happen when buyers are free. Closers often take calls in the evening or across time zones. That can suit school hours (or the US school day) well, or clash with dinner and bedtime.
- Appointment setting is often more bite-sized. Setters message and call leads in blocks, which can fit part-time schedules.
Who sales suits (and who it doesn’t)
It tends to suit you if…
- You like people and don’t mind talking to strangers once you know what to say.
- You’re motivated by progress you can measure.
- You can handle “no” and keep going.
- You want work from home and can protect a few focused hours.
- You’re willing to practise, take feedback and improve.
Think twice if…
- You need a fixed, predictable income from month one.
- You hate any pressure tied to targets.
- You can’t carve out quiet time for calls.
- Someone is asking you to pay to join or recruit friends. That’s a red flag, not a sales career. Read is remote sales legit? before you sign anything.
How to start if you decide it’s for you
- Pick a lane. Appointment setting is a common way in; closing usually pays more per sale but asks more of you on calls.
- Learn a framework. Structure turns nerves into a process.
- Practise with feedback. Role play is where most of the improvement happens.
- Vet every role. Base versus commission, employee versus contractor, lead flow, refunds and who pays you.
- Give it time. Plan for a slow ramp-up and judge progress over months, not weeks.
Comparing other options too? See the best remote jobs for women.
How She Sells can help
She Sells trains women, especially mums, for remote closing and appointment setting. See our programs:
- She Launches is the foundation: live coaching, role play and frameworks. It doesn’t include direct placement.
- She Soars is the career program through the She Sells Cert III in Remote Sales certificate. Once you’re certified, our recruitment team works with you to land a role within 90 days, or your money back.
My own start was modest: I was a primary school teacher, and in 2020 I made $440 in my first month of remote sales. That’s my result, not a typical one, and it took years of practice to build from there.
Frequently asked questions
Is sales a good job for a woman with no experience?
It can be. Many entry roles, such as appointment setting, don’t need a degree, and skills from teaching, nursing, retail or parenting transfer well. Expect a learning curve and choose roles with training and fair pay terms.
Do women earn less than men in sales?
On average, yes. BLS 2025 data shows full-time US women in sales and related jobs had median weekly earnings of $906 against $1,258 for men, and Australia’s WGEA reports a 21.1% private sector gap across all industries. Negotiating and understanding your pay plan helps.
Is commission-only sales worth it?
It can be once you’re skilled and working with a strong offer and steady leads. While you’re learning, it’s risky, so many beginners start with base-plus-commission roles or keep other income going.
Can I do sales part time around my kids?
Often, yes, especially in remote appointment setting and some closing roles. Check when calls are expected, because buyers are often free in the evening.
How long does it take to earn a steady income in sales?
It varies a lot. Most people need months of practice before their results become consistent, and nobody can promise a timeline.
Ready to find out if sales is right for you? Book a free call with the She Sells team.
Results vary. Nothing here is a promise of income. See our earnings disclaimer.
