Post job

Inbound sale representative vs direct sales representative

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 vs direct sales representative overview

Inbound Sale RepresentativeDirect Sales Representative
Yearly salary$46,054$43,527
Hourly rate$22.14$20.93
Growth rate5%4%
Number of jobs118,186159,668
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4647
Years of experience84

What does an inbound sale representative do?

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.

What does a direct sales representative do?

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 representative vs direct sales representative salary

Inbound sale representatives and direct sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inbound Sale RepresentativeDirect Sales Representative
Average salary$46,054$43,527
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $75,000Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASalem, OR
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMaine
Best paying companyAltice USAGoogle
Best paying industry--

Differences between inbound sale representative and direct sales representative education

There are a few differences between an inbound sale representative and a direct sales representative in terms of educational background:

Inbound Sale RepresentativeDirect Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Inbound sale representative vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between inbound sale representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

Inbound Sale RepresentativeDirect Sales Representative
Average age4647
Gender ratioMale, 46.4% Female, 53.6%Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%6%

Differences between inbound sale representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Inbound sale representative example responsibilities.

  • Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
  • Succeed at inbound sales role utilizing quick rapport building talent while upselling customers.
  • Create excellent customer service skills and multitasking, by providing professional, reliable customer service in a fast-pace working environment.
  • Perform adjustments to customers accounts in the CSG and Comtrac database.
  • Influence and sell CDV and CHSI to new and existing customers.
  • Meet customers needs and upselling by offering additional products and services base on discovery questions.
  • Show more

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
  • Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
  • Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
  • Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
  • Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
  • Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.
  • Show more

Inbound sale representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common inbound sale representative skills
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 21%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Mutual Funds, 9%
  • Excellent Organizational, 9%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Customer Inquiries, 5%
Common direct sales representative skills
  • Customer Service, 33%
  • Direct Sales, 20%
  • TV, 15%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
  • Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
  • Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

Browse executive management jobs