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The differences between distribution sales representatives and sales/account 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 sales/account representative. Additionally, a sales/account representative has an average salary of $56,954, 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 sales/account representative are customer service, CRM, and sales process.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales/Account Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $41,865 | $56,954 |
| Hourly rate | $20.13 | $27.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 235,775 | 257,122 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 sales account representative is responsible for managing and responding promptly to customer complaints and queries of clients. They focus on customer concerns and contact prospects. They work on upselling or cross-selling products and services, collaborating with account executives, and prepare reports to upper management. This job requires you to be a goal-driven person, energetic, and have excellent communication skills. Moreover, this is a challenging job; at times, it requires being extra polite and calm in handling customer complaints and other related situations.
Distribution sales representatives and sales/account representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales/Account Representative | |
| Average salary | $41,865 | $56,954 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $68,000 | Between $39,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Smartsheet |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a sales/account representative in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales/Account Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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 sales/account representatives' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales/Account Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% |
| 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, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |