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The differences between inbound sale representatives and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become an inbound sale representative, becoming a direct sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an inbound sale representative has an average salary of $46,054, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.
The top three skills for an inbound sale representative include excellent interpersonal, customer service and mutual funds. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.
| Inbound Sale Representative | Direct Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $46,054 | $43,527 |
| Hourly rate | $22.14 | $20.93 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 118,186 | 159,668 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 46 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 4 |
An inbound sales representative is in charge of securing sales by responding to calls and correspondence from clients, ensuring efficiency and customer satisfaction. They may arrange appointments, answer inquiries, offer products and services, and discuss product specifications. There are also instances where they must perform follow-up calls on outbound transactions, process payments, or establish billing plans in adherence to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, an inbound sales representative must address issues and concerns from clients, resolving them promptly and efficiently.
As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.
Inbound sale representatives and direct sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inbound Sale Representative | Direct Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $46,054 | $43,527 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $75,000 | Between $27,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Salem, OR |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Maine |
| Best paying company | Altice USA | |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an inbound sale representative and a direct sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Inbound Sale Representative | Direct Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Southern California | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between inbound sale representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:
| Inbound Sale Representative | Direct Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 46 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6% | Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% 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 | 7% | 6% |