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Field sales engineer vs territory sales representative

The differences between field sales engineers and territory sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a field sales engineer, becoming a territory sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a field sales engineer has an average salary of $90,950, which is higher than the $34,431 average annual salary of a territory sales representative.

The top three skills for a field sales engineer include HVAC, customer satisfaction and technical support. The most important skills for a territory sales representative are customer service, CRM, and product knowledge.

Field sales engineer vs territory sales representative overview

Field Sales EngineerTerritory Sales Representative
Yearly salary$90,950$34,431
Hourly rate$43.73$16.55
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs85,486219,928
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age4447
Years of experience64

What does a field sales engineer do?

Usually, a field sales engineer prepares and delivers technical representations explaining a company's products or services to clients. Field sales engineers confer with engineers and customers for the assessment of the necessary equipment and in the identification of the required system. They conduct research and report the status of engineering projects. It is the duty of the field engineers to ensure everything in the field works efficiently and smoothly and that the engineering designs are followed.

What does a territory sales representative do?

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.

Field sales engineer vs territory sales representative salary

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

Field Sales EngineerTerritory Sales Representative
Average salary$90,950$34,431
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $125,000Between $15,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyVuzixIBM
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between field sales engineer and territory sales representative education

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

Field Sales EngineerTerritory Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common majorElectrical EngineeringBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Field sales engineer vs territory sales representative demographics

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

Field Sales EngineerTerritory Sales Representative
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 90.1% Female, 9.9%Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.7% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 77.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage7%6%

Differences between field sales engineer and territory sales representative duties and responsibilities

Field sales engineer example responsibilities.

  • Manage merchandising and POS materials at the retail store level ensuring meticulous compliance with all current corporate initiative regulations.
  • Assign Vlans on different IP subnets.
  • Test storage configurations utilizing iSCSI over IP in HDS test labs.
  • Work directly with large OEM accounts (agriculture, marine, automotive, mobile off-highway, medical, etc . )
  • Develop account relationships at all levels including procurement, technical and senior management level within the OEM and distributor channels.
  • Consult, repair and troubleshoot electrical/electronic control circuits.
  • Show more

Territory sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Track leads, log calls/activities, move sales cycle, and report/forecast using Salesforce.
  • Develop and manage a portfolio of customers seeking cost-effective, knowledgeable travel consultation and options.
  • Introduce CRM to corporate management to enhance customer relationships.
  • Provide training and direction to authorize distributors within western Washington.
  • Participate with dealers, distributors and clients concerning sales and advertising opportunities.
  • Record all customer contact utilizing company CRM (customer relationship management system).
  • Show more

Field sales engineer vs territory sales representative skills

Common field sales engineer skills
  • HVAC, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Technical Support, 5%
  • Product Line, 5%
  • Trade Shows, 5%
  • Semiconductor, 4%
Common territory sales representative skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • CRM, 7%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Excellent Time Management, 5%
  • Sales Growth, 5%
  • Business Relationships, 4%