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The differences between distribution sales representatives and marketing/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 distribution sales representative and a marketing/sales representative. Additionally, a marketing/sales representative has an average salary of $62,917, 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 marketing/sales representative are customer relations, business relationships, and sales rep.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $41,865 | $62,917 |
| Hourly rate | $20.13 | $30.25 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 235,775 | 274,768 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
The job of marketing/sales representatives is to pitch a company's products and services to potential customers. They work to drive brand awareness through face-to-face consumer interaction. They are often considered as a liaison between sellers and buyers, providing information about products and services. They promote human relationships through marketing collateral distribution and communication. Other responsibilities include planning and implementing marketing campaigns, maintaining good relationships with vendors and venues, and promoting business expansion opportunities. This role requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, communications and marketing experience, excellent communication skills, and time management skills.
Distribution sales representatives and marketing/sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $41,865 | $62,917 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $68,000 | Between $42,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | - | Bosch USA |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a marketing/sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between distribution sales representatives' and marketing/sales representatives' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Marketing/Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9% |
| 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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |