Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of sales representatives that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of sales representatives:
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Consultant And Sales Representative is the highest-paid type of sales representative with an average salary of $225,832 and an average hourly rate of $108.57.
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The second highest-paying type of sales representative is senior sales representative, with an average salary of $82,550.
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The average sales representative salary is $56,591 per year, and the average hourly pay is $27.21.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a sales representative, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of sales representatives are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of sales representatives:
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Consultant And Sales Representative
Average Salary: $225,832
A consultant and sales representative’s role is to perform research and analysis to devise strategies for reaching sales targets and optimal services. Aside from providing consultations and business plans, they may also represent the company by reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence. They may offer products and services to secure sales, answer inquiries, and even arrange appointments to discuss and negotiate deals. Furthermore, as a consultant and sales representative, it is essential to build positive relationships with clients in adherence to the company’s policies and regulations.
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Senior Sales Representative
Average Salary: $82,550
A senior sales representative’s role is to oversee operations that mainly revolve around engaging with clients to pursue sales targets. Their responsibilities also include devising strategies that would help colleagues to attain quotas and discover new opportunities and trends that would be of help in building a more substantial client base. There are also instances where they must reach out to clients, building rapport to secure sales. Furthermore, as a senior sales representative, they have to lead fellow skilled professionals as they reach their common goals.
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Executive Sales Representative
Average Salary: $78,858
An executive sales representative researches and recommends business opportunities. They analyze sales alternatives and help build business relations with clients and prospects. They must keep updated on business trends and potential competitors to best recommend new product ideas. They must be open-minded, risk-takers, adaptive, and innovative to be able to develop successful marketing strategies. It is also necessary for them to be highly skilled at business analysis to distinguish selling opportunities and create an immediate action plan.
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Medical Sales Representative
Average Salary: $74,079
A medical sales representative, also known as a pharmaceutical sales representative, is a professional who is responsible for selling and promoting medications and medical equipment. Medical sales representatives set appointments with doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals so that they can promote their company’s medical supplies. They are required to build and maintain relationships with their customers so that they can encourage repeat purchases. Medical sales representatives should obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing, pharmacy, life sciences, or a related field.
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Marketing/Sales Representative
Average Salary: $62,917
The job of marketing/sales representatives is to pitch a company’s products and services to potential customers. They work to drive brand awareness through face-to-face consumer interaction. They are often considered as a liaison between sellers and buyers, providing information about products and services. They promote human relationships through marketing collateral distribution and communication. Other responsibilities include planning and implementing marketing campaigns, maintaining good relationships with vendors and venues, and promoting business expansion opportunities. This role requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications and marketing experience, excellent communication skills, and time management skills.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various sales representative that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Sales Representatives
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for sales representatives.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Sales Representative Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid sales representative job?
The highest-paid sales representative job is a consultant and sales representative. Consultants And Sales Representative earn an average salary of $225,832, which is $ 108.57 hourly.
A consultant and sales representative’s role is to perform research and analysis to devise strategies for reaching sales targets and optimal services. Aside from providing consultations and business plans, they may also represent the company by reaching out to clients through calls and correspondence. They may offer products and services to secure sales, answer inquiries, and even arrange appointments to discuss and negotiate deals. Furthermore, as a consultant and sales representative, it is essential to build positive relationships with clients in adherence to the company’s policies and regulations.
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What is a good salary for a sales representative?
A good salary for a sales representative is $56,591 or more. The average sales representative salary is $56,591, so those making at least $56,591 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average sales representative salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a sales representative, the average entry level salary is $45,264, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $56,591 average, as this includes all sales representatives of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Sales Representative jobs pay well?
Yes, sales representative jobs pay well. As in any industry, some sales representative jobs pay better than others, but the average sales representative salary of $56,591 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many sales representative jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of sales representatives earning $93,153 a year on average.
Sales Representatives’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a sales representative. Do your research on the going rate for a sales representative in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do sales representatives get paid the most?
Sales Representatives get paid the most in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, sales representatives earn an average annual salary of $67,012 and an average hourly wage of $32.22.
Following RI, the states with the highest-paid sales representatives are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, with average annual salaries of $67,915, $63,140, and $72,324 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid sales representative salaries are:
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Boston, MA – $71,996
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Philadelphia, PA – $63,367
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Richmond, IN – $62,244
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
