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The differences between distribution sales representatives and regional 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 regional sales representative. Additionally, a regional sales representative has an average salary of $57,926, 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 regional sales representative are customer service, healthcare, and regional sales.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Regional Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $41,865 | $57,926 |
| Hourly rate | $20.13 | $27.85 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 235,775 | 230,746 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| 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.
A regional sales representative is responsible for selling goods and services to their designated areas by interacting with potential customers, demonstrating the product's features and functions, and responding to their inquiries and requests. Regional sales representatives should be highly communicative to negotiate with the customers to increase product sales and boost the company's profitability. They also assist in strategizing sales pitches, including promotional offers and processing of marketing materials. A regional sales representative also asks for feedback from the customers to improve their products and meet the public's demands and current market trends.
Distribution sales representatives and regional sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Regional Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $41,865 | $57,926 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $68,000 | Between $41,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Varian Medical Systems |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a regional sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Regional Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 77% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between distribution sales representatives' and regional sales representatives' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Regional Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 72.6% Female, 27.4% |
| 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, 13.9% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |