Direct sales representative vs distribution sales representative

The differences between direct sales representatives and distribution 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 a distribution sales representative. Additionally, a direct sales representative has an average salary of $43,527, which is higher than the $41,865 average annual salary of a distribution sales representative.

The top three skills for a direct sales representative include customer service, direct sales and TV. The most important skills for a distribution sales representative are product knowledge, territory sales, and customer accounts.

Direct sales representative vs distribution sales representative overview

	Direct Sales Representative	Distribution Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$43,527	$41,865
Hourly rate	$20.93	$20.13
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	159,668	235,775
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
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 a distribution sales representative do?

A distribution sales representative is a sales professional who usually works for wholesale and manufacturing companies, aiming to secure sales with retailers and individuals. Their duties entail conducting market research and analyses to find client and business opportunities, generating leads, communicating with clients through calls, arranging appointments, answering inquiries, discussing product or service specifications, and negotiating contracts, building positive relationships along the way. Moreover, as a distribution sales representative, keeping up with the latest trends to enhance sales pitches is essential.

Direct sales representative vs distribution sales representative salary

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

	Direct Sales Representative	Distribution Sales Representative
Average salary	$43,527	$41,865
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $69,000	Between $25,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Salem, OR	-
Highest paying state	Maine	-
Best paying company	Google	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between direct sales representative and distribution sales representative education

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

	Direct Sales Representative	Distribution Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Direct sales representative vs distribution sales representative demographics

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

	Direct Sales Representative	Distribution Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%	Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9%
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 distribution 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.

Distribution sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage merchandising and POS materials at the retail store level ensuring meticulous compliance with all current corporate initiative regulations.
Provide power design solutions to OEM 's
Excel in responsive customer support; personally responsible for worldwide international service centers and primary aircraft OEM accounts.
Develop and implement marketing programs for distributors and retailers, including co-op advertising plans, promotional events, and merchandising techniques.
Install and maintain software, hardware and networking and troubleshoot computer systems for problems ranging from software incompatibilities to electrical problems.

Direct sales representative vs distribution 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 distribution sales representative skills

Product Knowledge, 30%
Territory Sales, 12%
Customer Accounts, 6%
Sales Presentations, 5%
Business Development, 4%
Medical Sales, 4%

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Direct Sales Representative
Direct Sales Representative vs Distribution Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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