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The differences between direct sales managers and technical sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a direct sales manager and a technical sales manager. Additionally, a technical sales manager has an average salary of $129,770, which is higher than the $120,139 average annual salary of a direct sales manager.
The top three skills for a direct sales manager include sales professionals, account executives and customer service. The most important skills for a technical sales manager are customer satisfaction, sales management, and CRM.
| Direct Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $120,139 | $129,770 |
| Hourly rate | $57.76 | $62.39 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 140,506 | 193,981 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
Direct sales managers are individuals who take responsibility for leading and guiding sales people within an organization. It is the job of the sales managers to set the goals and quotas, create sales plans, and analyze data. They assign sales territories and conduct sales training. They serve as mentors for sales team members and involve in the recruitment and dismissal process. Also, they foresee sales and identify product and service profitability for the company.
A technical sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales techniques and performance of the sales team in selling technical services and systems to the customers. Technical sales managers coordinate with clients to discuss and negotiate offers of new products and services. They also identify business opportunities by analyzing current technology trends from public demands to generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits. A technical sales manager facilitates and plans sales training and programs to maximize staff's efficiency and productivity.
Direct sales managers and technical sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Direct Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Average salary | $120,139 | $129,770 |
| Salary range | Between $80,000 And $178,000 | Between $90,000 And $186,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Columbia, MD |
| Highest paying state | - | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | - | Palo Alto Networks |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a direct sales manager and a technical sales manager in terms of educational background:
| Direct Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between direct sales managers' and technical sales managers' demographics:
| Direct Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 61.9% Female, 38.1% | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |