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The differences between distribution sales representatives and territory 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 territory sales representative. Additionally, a distribution sales representative has an average salary of $41,865, which is higher than the $34,431 average annual salary of a territory 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 territory sales representative are customer service, CRM, and product knowledge.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Territory Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $41,865 | $34,431 |
| Hourly rate | $20.13 | $16.55 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 235,775 | 219,928 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| 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 territory sales representative is responsible for selling goods and services, assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns, and monitoring the assigned area's sales reports. Territory sales representatives coordinate with the rest of the sales team to develop effective marketing strategies and promotional techniques to increase revenues and profitability. Territory sales representatives research current market trends to identify business opportunities to meet consumer demands and widen their services. A territory sales representative must have excellent knowledge of the sales disciplines and principles, managing the market approach to ensure customer satisfaction.
Distribution sales representatives and territory sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Sales Representative | Territory Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $41,865 | $34,431 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $68,000 | Between $15,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | IBM |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a distribution sales representative and a territory sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Territory Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| 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 territory sales representatives' demographics:
| Distribution Sales Representative | Territory Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9% |
| 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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |