Direct sales representative vs associate sales representative

The differences between direct sales representatives and associate 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 direct sales representative and an associate sales representative. Additionally, an associate sales representative has an average salary of $51,007, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.

The top three skills for a direct sales representative include customer service, direct sales and TV. The most important skills for an associate sales representative are work ethic, patients, and product knowledge.

Direct sales representative vs associate sales representative overview

	Direct Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$43,527	$51,007
Hourly rate	$20.93	$24.52
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	159,668	333,049
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

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.

What does an associate sales representative do?

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 representative vs associate sales representative salary

Direct sales representatives and associate sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Direct Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Average salary	$43,527	$51,007
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $69,000	Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Salem, OR	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Maine	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Google	Verint
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between direct sales representative and associate sales representative education

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

	Direct Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Direct sales representative vs associate sales representative demographics

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

	Direct Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%	Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%
Race ratio	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%	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 direct sales representative and associate sales representative duties and responsibilities

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.

Associate sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
Learned how to ask proper questions and communicate MetLife's product differentiators against competition

Direct sales representative vs associate sales representative skills

Common direct sales representative skills

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

Common associate sales representative skills

Work Ethic, 16%
Patients, 13%
Product Knowledge, 12%
Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
Excellent Organizational, 4%
Sales Techniques, 4%

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Direct Sales Representative
Direct Sales Representative vs Associate Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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