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The differences between distribution sales representatives and distribution sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a distribution sales representative, becoming a distribution sales manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a distribution sales manager has an average salary of $64,821, which is higher than the $41,865 average annual salary of a distribution sales representative.
The top three skills for a distribution sales representative include product knowledge, territory sales and customer accounts. The most important skills for a distribution sales manager are customer service, customer complaints, and sales people.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $41,865 | $64,821 |
| Hourly rate | $20.13 | $31.16 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 235,775 | 119,543 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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.
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.
Distribution sales representatives and distribution sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Manager | |
| Average salary | $41,865 | $64,821 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $68,000 | Between $37,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a distribution sales manager in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between distribution sales representatives' and distribution sales managers' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7% |
| 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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |