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The differences between commercial sales specialists and business sales associates 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 sales specialist and a business sales associate. Additionally, a commercial sales specialist has an average salary of $73,492, which is higher than the $59,485 average annual salary of a business sales associate.
The top three skills for a commercial sales specialist include customer accounts, customer complaints and inventory control. The most important skills for a business sales associate are business sales, product knowledge, and customer satisfaction.
| Commercial Sales Specialist | Business Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $73,492 | $59,485 |
| Hourly rate | $35.33 | $28.60 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 124,771 | 359,630 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A commercial sales specialist is responsible for selling the company's goods and services to corporate organizations and identifying business opportunities that would generate more revenue resources and increase profits for the company. Commercial sales specialists determine the customers' needs and recommend product solutions by discussing and demonstrating product features and benefits, responding to their inquiries and concerns, and resolving complaints. They also work closely with the marketing team to enhance promotional efforts and media strategies to improve brand recognition in the market.
A business sales associate's primary goal is to secure sales and reach sales targets. To make this possible, a business sales associate conducts market research and analyses to identify new business and client opportunities, generates leads, and develops sales strategies. They usually reach out to potential clients or representatives through calls or correspondence, arrange appointments, discuss product or service specifications, organize payment plans, and negotiate contracts, building positive business relationships along the way. Moreover, they produce progress reports and coordinate with managers regularly.
Commercial sales specialists and business sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commercial Sales Specialist | Business Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $73,492 | $59,485 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $112,000 | Between $42,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a commercial sales specialist and a business sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Commercial Sales Specialist | Business Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between commercial sales specialists' and business sales associates' demographics:
| Commercial Sales Specialist | Business Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 77.1% Female, 22.9% | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |