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General Sales at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA · Public · Certificate · General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations

a smaller institution with 4,248 students in Tacoma, WA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $26,283/yr fall 25% below the $34,853 national median for General Sales. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 55.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for General Sales graduates.

Ranked #8 out of 16 programs, Tacoma Community College's General Sales offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to General Sales, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $26,283/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (499,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$275K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
55.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
11 of 11
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,920
Out-of-state: $11,030

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for General Sales graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products $100,070 +1.9% 54%
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270 +5.7% 51%
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers $84,130 0.0% 46%
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
$100,070
+1.9% growth 54% AI-proof
Business teachers, postsecondary
$97,270
+5.7% growth 51% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers
$84,130
0.0% growth 46% AI-proof

View all 11 career paths with full salary data →

About General Sales Careers

Your career in sales can take you in two main directions. You might become a first-line supervisor in a retail store, where your day involves managing schedules for your sales team, tracking inventory in the back room, and being the go-to person on the floor for tough customer issues. Alternatively, you could hit the road as a B2B sales representative, meeting with business clients to understand their needs, demonstrating how your products or services can help, and negotiating contracts.

Read the full General Sales career guide →

Compare & Explore

General Sales Overview

View all 16 schools offering General Sales →

General Sales at Other Schools

University of Missouri-Columbia ($64,382) Weber State University ($60,215) Umpqua Community College ($58,591) Kent State University at Kent ($57,169) North Dakota State University-Main Campus ($55,734) Minnesota State Community and Technical College ($39,563) Harrisburg Area Community College ($38,826) Midlands Technical College ($28,150)

Other Majors at Tacoma Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($82,447) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($73,435) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($58,382) Legal Support Services ($50,681) Human Services, General ($41,008) Business/Commerce, General ($40,863) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($32,779) Accounting and Related Services ($29,188)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare General Sales degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for General Sales at Tacoma Community College?
At 64/100, Tacoma Community College's General Sales program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study General Sales?
With 44% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $274,978 in decade earnings vs $274,978 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are General Sales earnings lower at Tacoma Community College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for General Sales graduates?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to General Sales occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for General Sales graduates?
The career paths mapped to General Sales have roughly 499,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →