Channel sales representative vs inside sales representative

The differences between channel sales representatives and inside sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a channel sales representative and an inside sales representative. Additionally, a channel sales representative has an average salary of $66,190, which is higher than the $44,413 average annual salary of an inside sales representative.

The top three skills for a channel sales representative include lead generation, direct sales and channel sales. The most important skills for an inside sales representative are customer service, CRM, and outbound calls.

Channel sales representative vs inside sales representative overview

	Channel Sales Representative	Inside Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$66,190	$44,413
Hourly rate	$31.82	$21.35
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	215,005	244,168
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a channel sales representative do?

A channel sales representative is typically in charge of securing sales with vendors and resellers. Their responsibilities often include performing research and analysis to identify new business and client opportunities, generating leads, and devising strategies to close deals. They must also liaise with clients through calls or correspondence, arrange appointments, offer products and services, recommend promotions, negotiate contracts, and even process payments. Furthermore, as a channel sales representative, it is essential to build positive relationships with clients, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.

What does an inside sales representative do?

An inside sales representative is responsible for selling services and products to clients, driving the company's revenues and increase sales profitability. Duties of an inside sales representative include developing strategic sales pitches, responding to customer's inquiries and requests, offering promotional products and discounts, researching potential clients, creating sales reports, and managing customer's possible complaints. An inside sales representative also provides strategic solutions to share with the sales team to improve their sales performance. Inside sales representatives must have excellent communication and negotiation skills to deal with customers' needs.

Channel sales representative vs inside sales representative salary

Channel sales representatives and inside sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Channel Sales Representative	Inside Sales Representative
Average salary	$66,190	$44,413
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $97,000	Between $28,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Las Vegas, NV	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Nevada	Wyoming
Best paying company	Microsoft	Berkshire Hathaway
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between channel sales representative and inside sales representative education

There are a few differences between a channel sales representative and an inside sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Channel Sales Representative	Inside Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Channel sales representative vs inside sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between channel sales representatives' and inside sales representatives' demographics:

	Channel Sales Representative	Inside Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8%	Male, 54.7% Female, 45.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between channel sales representative and inside sales representative duties and responsibilities

Channel sales representative example responsibilities.

Adopt new CRM software to manage existing customers while providing training on update systems.
Generate leads and evangelize product to physicians in orthopedics, hematology, internal medicine, surgery, critical care and cardiology.
Maintain accurate up-to-date activity and opportunity reports in Microsoft CRM software.
Generate leads and evangelize product to physicians in orthopedics, hematology, internal medicine, surgery, critical care and cardiology.
Generate leads and evangelize product to physicians in orthopedics, hematology, internal medicine, surgery, critical care and cardiology.

Inside sales representative example responsibilities.

Coordinate commercial sales and manage projects with HVAC contractors for Georgia district.
Accomplish tasks in a timely manner.Skills UsedComputer, math, reading wiring schematics.
Generate leads through the use of Linkedin, firm websites and legal magazines.
Manage and develop a nationwide territory through cold calling utilizing LinkedIn?, DiscoverOrg.
Manage help desk support for company ERP system as well as employee hardware and software issues.
Manage a team of 15-25 ISE's through effective sales coaching, call monitoring and creating sales spiff programs.

Channel sales representative vs inside sales representative skills

Common channel sales representative skills

Lead Generation, 28%
Direct Sales, 22%
Channel Sales, 19%
Sales Cycle, 16%
Sales REP, 3%
Channel Development, 2%

Common inside sales representative skills

Customer Service, 22%
CRM, 6%
Outbound Calls, 5%
Product Knowledge, 4%
Work Ethic, 4%
Sales Process, 3%

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Channel Sales Representative
Channel Sales Representative vs Inside Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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