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The differences between distribution 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 distribution sales manager and a technical sales manager. Additionally, a technical sales manager has an average salary of $129,770, which is higher than the $64,821 average annual salary of a distribution sales manager.
The top three skills for a distribution sales manager include customer service, customer complaints and sales people. The most important skills for a technical sales manager are customer satisfaction, sales management, and CRM.
| Distribution Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $64,821 | $129,770 |
| Hourly rate | $31.16 | $62.39 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 119,543 | 193,981 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A distribution sales manager is tasked to find whole and retail sellers to distribute goods and services. Alongside distribution, the manager's tasks include monitoring all sales, orders, product performance, and retailer feedback to further improve the product. The distribution manager must also have skills in email marketing, B2B correspondence, engage with potential clients and customers, and ensuring all orders are fulfilled on time and without delays.
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.
Distribution sales managers and technical sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Average salary | $64,821 | $129,770 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $111,000 | Between $90,000 And $186,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Columbia, MD |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Accenture | Palo Alto Networks |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales manager and a technical sales manager in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | 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 distribution sales managers' and technical sales managers' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% | 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% |