A recent salary survey conducted by the Sales and Marketing Professionals (MMA) has revealed a significant gender pay gap in the sales industry, with women earning an average of 700 euros less per month compared to their male counterparts. The study indicates that for every euro a man earns in sales positions, a woman earns only 0.88 euros, highlighting a pay difference of approximately 12%. Notably, this wage disparity cannot be attributed to factors such as work experience, job complexity, or hours worked, suggesting systemic issues within the industry.

Marko Hovinmäki, the chairman of MMA, emphasized the urgency of addressing the existing inequities in compensation structures within companies. He pointed out that practically, female sales representatives work unpaid from November 17th until the end of the year, which starkly illustrates the financial burdens faced by women in this profession. The findings compel companies to critically evaluate their pay structures to combat gender inequality and create a fairer workplace environment.

The MMA report also highlights that salaries in the sales and marketing sectors can vary significantly across different industries. For instance, in 2025, the median salary for salespeople in the industrial sector was reported to be 6,676 euros per month, while those in the service sector earned about 5,936 euros. These disparities in earnings across sectors further complicate the broader conversation on wage equality and the need for reform in compensation practices to ensure fair pay for all employees, regardless of gender.