Everything You Need to Know About Sales Commission in 2021 (For Reps & Leaders)

If your sales organization is struggling to strike a balance between company requirements and the compensation needs of employees, it's likely time to reevaluate your compensation plan and commission structure.

As a salesperson, it's valuable to know what types of commission plans are available and what salary and commission rates you should look for from an employer.

Luckily, I've compiled some resources for you to determine the best sales commission structure for your sales team or yourself. Ready to learn more?

Sales Commission

销售委员会是销售补偿的关键方面。这是销售人员根据他们的销售量赚取的金额。这是经常补充标准工资的额外钱。

In his book, "The High-Velocity Sales Organization", sales strategist,Marc Wayshak，讨论薪酬和佣金对您的销售基础设施的重要性。他提供了一些提示，可以在创建佣金结构时牢记：

1.不要加薪。

Capping salaries decreases the earning potential of your salespeople. Sales management should be supportive of their team and want individuals to make as much as possible in return for their hard work.

2. Do it right the first time.

In sales compensation, there isn't room for do-overs. Introducing a new compensation plan moves your sales team's goals and targets, diminishing your reps' morale and motivation.

3. Keep it simple.

Make your compensation and commission plan clear. Not only will this make the commission structure easier to implement, but it will also ensure there aren't any loopholes in the plan. A salesperson should be able to fill in the blanks:如果我做X，那我会赚钱。

So, what commission structure should you choose? Well, there are a few to pick from. Common structures include:

1. Base Salary Plus Commission

The base salary plus commission plan might be the most conventional commission structure With this plan, salespeople are provided a base salary with commission. The standard salary to commission ratio is 60:40, where 60% is fixed and 40% is variable.

何时使用

这种结构对于销售代表保留对销售组织的成功至关重要的公司是理想的选择。该公司正bob全站app在积极投资给定代表的成功，同时激励其绩效。

2.直接委员会计划

有了这个计划，销售代表的收入直接来自他们所获得的销售 - 没有基本工资。高性能的销售代表通常在该计划设定的环境中蓬勃发展，但该结构并不适合稳定性。

何时使用

这个particular structure is usually leveraged by startups or other businesses that might lack reliable access to capital. In a lot of ways, it amounts to a pay-as-you-go plan — that often suits businesses that don't have the resources to provide competitive base salaries.

3. Relative Commission Plan

With a relative commission plan, the commission a rep earns is directly proportional to how much of a set quota they hit. That compensation comes on top of a base salary, providing reps with more of a safety net than a straight commission plan.

何时使用

这个plan is essentially the more secure answer to a straight commission plan. It's still directly tied to performance, but it doesn't alienate reps that might be running into trouble — leading to less turnover.

4. Absolute Commission Plan

一个绝对的委员会计划支付代表，以达到固定目标并执行特定的活动，例如获取新客户。与相对委员会计划相似，绝对的委员会结构可以帮助激励表现不佳，但重点却不在于收入，而更多地是在活动上。

何时使用

这个strategy is most often employed to help direct sales reps' focus. If a business needs to improve its numbers with respect to a specific activity, it might use an absolute commission plan that revolves around it.

5。Straight-Line Commission Plan

直线委员会计划根据他们出售的销售额或小额奖励销售人员奖励销售人员。顾名思义，它源于直接相关性 - 即使代表达到其配额，这种趋势也通常是正确的。这是企业可以激励表现不佳的配额而不会放慢过分表现的更好的方式之一。

何时使用

直线的佣金计划最适合组织anizations that want to incentivize reps to reach their full potential and have the resources necessary to accommodate an uncapped commission structure.

6。Tiered Commission Plan

A tiered structure encourages reps to put in extra effort by providing higher commission as they hit substantial sales milestones. Here, reps could be paid increasing commissions as they meet their quota, exceed their quota, and continue to close more deals than they’re expected to.

何时使用

A tiered commission plan is ideal for organizations with salespeople who consistently reach (but not exceed) their goals — it also offers a little more control on commission rates than the straight-line commission plan.

7.领土数量委员会计划

With this commission structure, salespeople work with clients in clearly defined regions — and they're paid on a territory-wide, team-oriented basis versus one revolving around individual sales.

何时使用

First and foremost (and perhaps most obviously), a territory volume commission plan suits businesses that have presences in multiple territories. It's ideal for team-based organizations who are wanting to fortify in specific service areas.

8。Recoverable Draw Against Commission Plan

通过针对佣金计划的可回收抽签，销售代表在薪酬或销售期开始时以预定的一次性付出的形式提前收到佣金。在该销售期结束时，从该代表的总收入佣金中减去了一次性付款或“抽奖”。

何时使用

A recoverable draw against commission plan is typically used to get reps off the ground in some capacity. It's often used to compensate newly hired, ramping reps as they onboard. It might also be used to pay a rep who's getting acclimated to a new territory.

9.违反委员会计划的不可恢复的抽奖

A non-recoverable draw is more or less a fully guaranteed commission stipend. Like its recoverable counterpart, it starts with a firm giving its reps a predetermined lump sum, but with a non-recoverable plan, reps aren't expected to pay any of that money back.

何时使用

这个plan isn't particularly sustainable or motivating. It's typically used as a short-term measure during times of company, industry, or broader economic uncertainty to ensure that sales reps have a stable source of income.

10. Residual Commission

A residual commission structure is based on the long-term value of individual accounts. With this structure, salespeople who close deals continue to receive commission from those accounts on an ongoing basis — so long as they continue to generate revenue. This particular structure can be higher-stakes than most.

一方面，销售人员可以随着时间的推移建立稳固的生产收入流。另一方面，丢失帐户 - 出于可能与降落的销售人员无关的原因，可能会受到可能很难恢复的佣金打击。

何时使用

这个structure is best suited for businesses that maintain long-term relationships with clients, including entities like advertising agencies or consulting firms.

这个ultimate guide to sales compensationprovides even more detail on sales commission structures and compensation plans. And it will help you determine which structure will work best for your company and sales team.

Averages for salary and commission allow sales leaders to see how their sales commission plan compares to the rest of their industry. And for salespeople, they can see how their sales compensation plan stacks up.

Average Sales Commission Rates by Industry

以下工资来自BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey。These wages reflect the median average pay for each industry. The commission rate will depend on the company and the commission structure they choose.

1.Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

Median pay: $63,000

These kinds of sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. Their job security and livelihood are often almost entirely intertwined with the volume of merchandise they can sell. Their commission structure tends to reflect that. These reps are often paid with absolute or base salary plus commission plans.

2.Insurance Sales Agents

Median pay: $50,940

Insurance sales agents contact potential customers to sell different kinds of insurance. Agents spend time directly interfacing with clients, completing paperwork, and preparing presentations. They also fulfill other customer-facing and administrative responsibilities. Commission for this brand of sales is generally paid on a base salary plus commission basis. Commission percentages tend to vary by the type of insurance agents are selling.

3.广告销售代理

Median pay: $53,310

Advertising sales agents sell advertising space to businesses and individuals. They often work across a variety of industries and media, including advertising agencies, radio, television, and Internet publishing. Advertising sales agents often have strict quotas and receive a commission for meeting or exceeding them.

4.Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents

Median pay: $50,730

Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. Every state requires real estate sales professionals to be licensed. That could mean completing courses or passing a state-specific exam. They’re often self-employed, so many have the flexibility to define their own commission structure.

5。Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents

中间薪水：$ 62,270

证券，商品和金融服务代理商在投资和贸易公司中买卖证券或商品。他们还可以为企业和个人提供金融服务。一些人向客户提供有关股票，债券，共同基金，商品和市场状况的建议。这些销售人员通常会收取每股统一佣金或每股佣金。

6。Sales Representatives, Services, SAAS, Business Support, All Other

中间薪水：$ 56,130

这个category of sales encompasses salespeople in positions and industries in a wide variety of service-based businesses, including business support, technical consulting, electronics, telecommunications, computer systems and electronics, and software as a service. It excludes advertising, insurance, travel, and other categories. Given the wide range of industries and companies encompassed in this category, it can be hard to identify its most common commission structure.

7。Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers

Median pay: $27,420

Several different kinds of salespeople fall under this category, including professionals in telecommunications, residential building construction, and subscription programming. Like the previous one, the wide range of industries and companies encompassed in this category makes it hard to pin down a standard commission structure.

8。Retail Salespersons

Median pay: $25,250

零售是指mer的占领chandise (such as clothing, furniture, or appliances) is sold in a retail brick-and-mortar environment. These environments include everything from general merchandise stores to dealers specializing in specific wares such as sporting goods or musical instruments.

Since success is often dependent on foot traffic rather than sales activity, retail salespersons are often compensated by a base salary only. However, retail environments with high-ticket items often pay flat commission rates.

9。销售和相关工人，所有其他

Median pay: $31,820

这个category of sales encompasses salespeople in positions and industries that don’t fall into any of the ones mentioned above. This can include roles at automobile dealerships, in non-depository credit intermediation, and with food and beverage retailers. The range of roles that fall into this category is broad, so the variety of the commission structures used tends to be as well.

Before agreeing to accept a sales job at a company, you should have a clear outline and understanding of its commission structure and compensation plan. The sales commission agreement should tell you everything you need to know about the commission and salary you're going to make.

什么是销售委员会协议？

A sales commission agreement is a document that includes the terms of a salesperson's employment. It outlines their commission structure, details the nature of the employee-employer relationship, establishes a timeframe for employment, and specifies the employee's commission percentage.

A sales commission agreement is prepared by an employer and agreed upon by a new employee — and both parties must have a thorough understanding of what's in it.

As we've touched on, a sales commission plan can take on a lot of forms — so new hires need to know exactly how they'll be compensated for their efforts. Beyond that, employers have to establish and document clear terms of employment to protect themselves from legal recourse if an employee has an issue with the commission structure they're working within.

In short, it allows both the salesperson and their employer to agree on compensation, commission, and job responsibilities. Here are the key elements that should be included in asales commission agreement。

1.授权

这个section gives the okay for the salesperson to sell products or services on behalf of their employer. The employer often limits the selling by restricting the regions or territories in which the offerings are sold and prohibiting the rebranding and reselling of their products.

2. Documentation

The salesperson must agree to use documentation and tools that are approved by the company to keep track of their sales activities. That might include resources likeCRM databases, software, or forms.

3. Non-Compete Clause

Anon-compete clauserequires the salesperson to refrain from representing or selling on behalf of a competitor for a period of time after leaving their employer.

4.不披露条款

The不披露条款ensures that the employee agrees to refrain from sharing confidential information or intellectual property.

5。Commission Structure

这个is where you share the details of thecommission structure。阅读本节后，雇员和雇主应清楚地了解：

• The compensation structure (e.g., commission, performance incentives, bonuses)
• When a commission is earned
• When commissions are paid
• Consequences of cancellations, refunds, or default of payments from customers

6。Agreement

销售人员和雇主同意the details of the sales commission agreement by signing and dating the document.

For additional recommendations and insight, consult your legal team or seek out the advice of a lawyer to help you carefully craft your sales commission agreement.

Sales Commission Agreement Templates

If you need some help developing a sales commission agreement or strategic business plan, these templates are a great way to get started.

1.Sales Commission Agreement Template from PandaDoc

Edit and customize this sales commission agreement template to fit your needs. This template can be signed by your recipients, and you'll be able to track the document's opens and views.

2.FormSwift的销售委员会协议模板

这个sales commission agreement template builder will help you outline the working relationship between employee and employer. It includes general information (like address and phone number), commission structure, documentation, and non-compete and non-disclosure clauses.

3.Sales Commission Agreement Template from RocketLawyer

With this fill-in-the-blank sales commission agreement, you're able to quickly plug in the details for your document. And it includes a progress bar to show you how much more of the agreement needs to be completed.

Sales Commission Rate Examples

1. Base Salary Plus Commission Plan Example

With a base salary plus commission plan, a salesperson working for a high-end retail outlet might be working for $25 per hour plus an additional 5% of any sales they make.

2.直接委员会计划Example

与直委员会的计划,一个销售代表B2B SaaS startup might make a 12% commission for every sale they make. If they land a deal worth $10,000, they would make $1,200 on the sale — but they wouldn't receive any base compensation beyond that.

3.相对佣金计划示例

如果销售人员根据相对佣金计划的支付，他们的季度配额可能为90,000美元，季度佣金为10,000美元。如果他们满足配额的85％，他们将获得佣金的85％，或8,500美元。

4. Absolute Commission Plan Example

与绝对委员会计划合作的销售人员可能会为他们收购的每个新客户提供500美元的佣金 - 无论交易规模如何。

5。Straight-Line Commission Plan Example

Like a sales rep working within a relative commission plan, a salesperson working within a straight-line commission plan would receive compensation proportional to how much of their quota they hit.

不同之处在于，即使在满足其配额之后，佣金的收益也将继续下得 - 因此，如果代表的季度佣金为10,000美元，并且超过配额，则将获得10％，他们将获得11,000美元的佣金。

6.分层委员会计划示例

With a tiered commission plan, a rep might receive 5% commission on all sales up to $50,000, 7% on sales between $50,000 and $100,000, and 10% on sales $100,000 and above.

7.领土数量委员会计划Example

A team operating in a specific territory might operate according to a territory volume commission plan. If a team of five manages to generate $750,000 in sales within their territory at 10% commission, they would split it and receive $15,000 each.

8。Recoverable Draw Against Commission Plan Example

With a recoverable draw against commission plan, a sales rep might receive a draw of $5,000 at the beginning of a given month. If they only reach 90% of quota, they'd be expected to essentially pay $500 of that $5,000 back to their employer.

9.违反委员会计划的不可恢复的抽奖Example

With a non-recoverable draw against commission plan, a sales rep's employer would give the rep $5,000 in good faith, assuming they'll hit quota. If they don't, the employer can't recoup that draw.

10. Residual Commission Plan Example

A sales rep who works within a residual commission plan might bring in a large account. If that account pays a recurring payment of $5,000 per month, a rep making 7% commission would earn $350 per month in residuals from that client.

经过精心计划您的佣金结构，以取得长期成功

With a well-planned sales commission structure, you'll attract top employees and retain them. And clearly outlined compensation plans will make it easier for employees to understand expectations and earn their commission.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in January 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Originally published Nov 9, 2021 6:00:00 PM, updated November 09 2021