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The differences between direct sales agents and associate sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a direct sales agent, becoming an associate sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a direct sales agent has an average salary of $57,712, which is higher than the $51,007 average annual salary of an associate sales representative.
The top three skills for a direct sales agent include customer service, medicare and health insurance. The most important skills for an associate sales representative are work ethic, patients, and product knowledge.
| Direct Sales Agent | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $57,712 | $51,007 |
| Hourly rate | $27.75 | $24.52 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 225,552 | 333,049 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A direct sales agent is primarily responsible for introducing and selling products or services to clients in a particular area. Aiming to reach sales quotas, they typically conduct market research and analysis, generate leads, and develop sales strategies to build positive client relationships. They reach out directly to clients through calls or face-to-face interactions, discuss product specifications or promos, negotiate contracts, and demonstrate products when necessary. They are also responsible for processing client orders and payments, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction.
The duties of an associate sales representative depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around reaching out to clients through calls or door-to-door visits, offering products and services, collecting payments, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures when necessary. An associate sales representative often has a quota and deadline to reach; therefore, it is essential to be sales driven and goal-oriented. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations of the company.
Direct sales agents and associate sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Direct Sales Agent | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $57,712 | $51,007 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $107,000 | Between $37,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | TechnipFMC | Verint |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a direct sales agent and an associate sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Direct Sales Agent | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between direct sales agents' and associate sales representatives' demographics:
| Direct Sales Agent | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.0% Female, 42.0% | Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 9.3% White, 68.2% 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% |