Commercial representative vs direct sales representative

The differences between commercial representatives and direct 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 commercial representative and a direct sales representative. Additionally, a commercial representative has an average salary of $53,767, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.

The top three skills for a commercial representative include business development, technical support and financial statements. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Commercial representative vs direct sales representative overview

	Commercial Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$53,767	$43,527
Hourly rate	$25.85	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	109,743	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a commercial representative do?

Commercial Representatives are in demand in the business development industry. They coordinate with all aspects of business development, including client and branding management. Commercial Representatives deliver district sales goals, prepare contracts and resolve concerns, and analyze financial statements referring to commercial loan customers' potential. They manage the implementation of inventory management, technical support, and customer satisfaction projects.

What does a direct sales representative do?

As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.

Commercial representative vs direct sales representative salary

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

	Commercial Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$53,767	$43,527
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $95,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between commercial representative and direct sales representative education

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

	Commercial Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Commercial representative vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between commercial representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

	Commercial Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
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, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between commercial representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Commercial representative example responsibilities.

Analyze and support development and execution of underwriting, automation and operational strategies to efficiently and effectively manage the portfolio.
Analyze and support development and execution of underwriting, automation and operational strategies to efficiently and effectively manage the portfolio.
Home OfficeThe Florida/Georgia DSR position requires working completely independent from a home office utilizing multiple sales disciplines.

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Commercial representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common commercial representative skills

Business Development, 14%
Technical Support, 12%
Financial Statements, 10%
Inbound Calls, 10%
Negotiation, 6%
Customer Accounts, 3%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Commercial Representative
Commercial Representative vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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