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The differences between distribution sales representatives and sales development 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 development representative. Additionally, a sales development representative has an average salary of $51,504, 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 development representative are SDR, lead generation, and customer service.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales Development Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $41,865 | $51,504 |
| Hourly rate | $20.13 | $24.76 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 235,775 | 199,588 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 83% |
| 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 development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.
Distribution sales representatives and sales development representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales Development Representative | |
| Average salary | $41,865 | $51,504 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $68,000 | Between $34,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | PitchBook Data |
| Best paying industry | - | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a sales development representative in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales Development Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 83% |
| 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 sales development representatives' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Sales Development Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9% |
| 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, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |