Channel sales representative vs sales representative

The differences between channel sales representatives and 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 a sales representative. Additionally, a channel sales representative has an average salary of $66,190, which is higher than the $56,591 average annual salary of a sales 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 representative are sales process, product knowledge, and customer service.

Channel sales representative vs sales representative overview

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$66,190	$56,591
Hourly rate	$31.82	$27.21
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	215,005	205,456
Job satisfaction	-	4.33
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
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 representative do?

Sales representatives primarily sell the company's products and services to businesses or organizations. They should be adept at closing out sales, negotiating, and providing customer service. They should be knowledgeable about the products or services of the manufacturer or producer they represent. They must also have strong analytical skills that would help them in coming up with cost-benefit analysis in assessing the current roster of clients and even prospective ones. Sales representatives should also be able to maintain good working relationships with all involved stakeholders, especially clients.

Channel sales representative vs sales representative salary

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

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Average salary	$66,190	$56,591
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $97,000	Between $33,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City	Las Vegas, NV	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Nevada	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Microsoft	Google
Best paying industry	Technology	Pharmaceutical

Differences between channel sales representative and sales representative education

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

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Channel sales representative vs sales representative demographics

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

	Channel Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 67.2% Female, 32.8%	Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9%
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, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between channel sales representative and 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.

Sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage prospective leads and existing accounts through a CRM platform to accurately forecast revenue and develop long-term business partnerships.
Manage and create all content distribute via various social media outlets: Facebook, twitter, feedback blogs, etc.
Search for procurement contracts, attend trade shows, design flyers, postcards, etc.
Utilize POS sales software to maintain monetary sales information produce reports for organizational review.
Develop and maintain business relationships with businesses and policyholders using establish methods such as customer relationship management CRM.
Handle administrative and sales duties as Jr.

Channel sales representative vs 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 sales representative skills

Sales Process, 9%
Product Knowledge, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
CRM, 6%
Business Development, 6%
Sales REP, 5%

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Channel Sales Representative
Channel Sales Representative vs Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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