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The differences between direct sales agents and marketing/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 a marketing/sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a marketing/sales representative has an average salary of $62,917, which is higher than the $57,712 average annual salary of a direct sales agent.
The top three skills for a direct sales agent include customer service, medicare and health insurance. The most important skills for a marketing/sales representative are customer relations, business relationships, and sales rep.
| Direct Sales Agent | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $57,712 | $62,917 |
| Hourly rate | $27.75 | $30.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 225,552 | 274,768 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 job of marketing/sales representatives is to pitch a company's products and services to potential customers. They work to drive brand awareness through face-to-face consumer interaction. They are often considered as a liaison between sellers and buyers, providing information about products and services. They promote human relationships through marketing collateral distribution and communication. Other responsibilities include planning and implementing marketing campaigns, maintaining good relationships with vendors and venues, and promoting business expansion opportunities. This role requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, communications and marketing experience, excellent communication skills, and time management skills.
Direct sales agents and marketing/sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Direct Sales Agent | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $57,712 | $62,917 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $107,000 | Between $42,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | TechnipFMC | Bosch USA |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a direct sales agent and a marketing/sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Direct Sales Agent | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between direct sales agents' and marketing/sales representatives' demographics:
| Direct Sales Agent | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.0% Female, 42.0% | Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9% |
| 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, 3.9% 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% |