A boat salesman is a retail salesperson who sells boats, parts and marine accessories to customers for a boat dealer or boat manufacturer. This includes a variety of fishing and speed boats and yachts, both motorboats and sailboats. In May 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated salaries for this occupation in the boat and ship building industry.

Average Salary

Similar to many retail sales occupations, boat salesmen receive a base salary and commissions for each boat or accessory they sell. Commissions vary greatly by employer and type of boats sold. The average earnings was $32,090 per year for boat salesmen in 2010, including salary or hourly wages and commissions.

Percentiles

The boat salesmen’s success determines their place on the pay scale. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,470 per year. The 25th percentile earned $17,470 per year, the 50th percentile earned $27,800 per year and the 75th percentile earned $45,070 per year. Top sales performers in the 90th percentile earned over $51,940 per year.

Hourly Wages

Because some boat salesmen work part-time, some employers pay hourly wages. The average hourly wage was $15.43 per hour. Boat salesmen with more experience often earn higher hourly wages. Salaries varied from $8.39 to $24.97 per hour, including the BLS 10th through 90th percentiles.

Related Ocucpations

Because this is a small, niche industry, some boat salesmen sell boats and accessories wholesale directly to customers and boat dealers. The BLS classifies these professionals into two types: wholesale sales representatives of technical and non-technical products. In the boat and ship building industry, those who sold technical products earned an average salary of $78,910 per year. Those who sold non-technical products earned an average salary of $72,110 per year.