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Distribution sales representative vs territory representative

The differences between distribution sales representatives and territory 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 territory representative. Additionally, a distribution sales representative has an average salary of $41,865, which is higher than the $39,761 average annual salary of a territory representative.

The top three skills for a distribution sales representative include product knowledge, territory sales and customer accounts. The most important skills for a territory representative are customer service, patients, and customer relationships.

Distribution sales representative vs territory representative overview

Distribution Sales RepresentativeTerritory Representative
Yearly salary$41,865$39,761
Hourly rate$20.13$19.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs235,775155,926
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a distribution sales representative do?

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.

What does a territory representative do?

A territory representative is responsible for selling the company's goods and services within a designated area, negotiating offers with potential clients, and identifying business opportunities according to market trends and customer demands. Territory representatives analyze the sales performance and strategize techniques to reach sales targets by coordinating with the whole sales team. They must be highly knowledgeable of the products offered by the company to demonstrate features and functionalities and respond to the inquiries and concerns the customers may have.

Distribution sales representative vs territory representative salary

Distribution sales representatives and territory representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Distribution Sales RepresentativeTerritory Representative
Average salary$41,865$39,761
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $68,000Between $31,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between distribution sales representative and territory representative education

There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a territory representative in terms of educational background:

Distribution Sales RepresentativeTerritory Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Distribution sales representative vs territory representative demographics

Here are the differences between distribution sales representatives' and territory representatives' demographics:

Distribution Sales RepresentativeTerritory Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 65.1% Female, 34.9%Male, 62.6% Female, 37.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 14.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between distribution sales representative and territory representative duties and responsibilities

Distribution sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage merchandising and POS materials at the retail store level ensuring meticulous compliance with all current corporate initiative regulations.
  • Provide power design solutions to OEM 's
  • Excel in responsive customer support; personally responsible for worldwide international service centers and primary aircraft OEM accounts.
  • Develop and implement marketing programs for distributors and retailers, including co-op advertising plans, promotional events, and merchandising techniques.
  • Install and maintain software, hardware and networking and troubleshoot computer systems for problems ranging from software incompatibilities to electrical problems.

Territory representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage and develop an extensive sales pipeline using SalesForce CRM products and phone-orient lead development techniques.
  • Accomplish this by actively prospecting new business, maintaining accountability on all sales efforts, and actualizing attentiveness to detail.
  • Design and facilitate educational and informative sales presentations and workshops for patients, family members, physicians and nurses.
  • Promote portfolio of products from multiple therapeutic classes to internal medicine, cardiology, allergy and pulmonology and family practice.
  • Develop product advocates in the cardiology space to influence usage at the primary care level.
  • Use computer systems (CRM) to track opportunities, update customer records, and record sales activity.
  • Show more

Distribution sales representative vs territory representative skills

Common distribution sales representative skills
  • Product Knowledge, 30%
  • Territory Sales, 12%
  • Customer Accounts, 6%
  • Sales Presentations, 5%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Medical Sales, 4%
Common territory representative skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Customer Relationships, 9%
  • CRM, 9%
  • Territory Development, 6%
  • Food Handling, 5%