Channel sales representative vs sales development representative

The differences between channel sales representatives and sales development 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 a sales development representative. Additionally, a channel sales representative has an average salary of $66,190, which is higher than the $51,504 average annual salary of a sales development representative.

The top three skills for a channel sales representative include lead generation, direct sales and channel sales. The most important skills for a sales development representative are SDR, lead generation, and customer service.

Channel sales representative vs sales development representative overview

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Yearly salary	$66,190	$51,504
Hourly rate	$31.82	$24.76
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	215,005	199,588
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
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 a sales development representative do?

A sales development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.

Channel sales representative vs sales development representative salary

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

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Average salary	$66,190	$51,504
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $97,000	Between $34,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Las Vegas, NV	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Nevada	Alaska
Best paying company	Microsoft	PitchBook Data
Best paying industry	Technology	Start-up

Differences between channel sales representative and sales development representative education

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

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	University of Pennsylvania

Channel sales representative vs sales development representative demographics

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

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8%	Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9%
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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between channel sales representative and sales development 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.

Sales development representative example responsibilities.

Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
Develop social media strategies for Facebook, LinkedIn, and emerging social networks, generating leads.
Manage individual sales activities by developing highly effective, communications focuse relationship with multiple sales channels.
supply chain management and procurement software (SaaS).
Handle customer service inquiries, returns, and RMA exchanges.
Develop a strong knowledge of SaaS sales techniques and lead management/generation.

Channel sales representative vs sales development 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 sales development representative skills

SDR, 11%
Lead Generation, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Account Executives, 5%
Linkedin, 5%
Outbound Calls, 4%

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Channel Sales Representative
Channel Sales Representative vs Sales Development Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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