Inside sales representative vs medical sales representative

The differences between inside sales representatives and medical sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an inside sales representative, becoming a medical sales representative takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical sales representative has an average salary of $74,079, which is higher than the $44,413 average annual salary of an inside sales representative.

The top three skills for an inside sales representative include customer service, CRM and outbound calls. The most important skills for a medical sales representative are patients, medical sales, and customer service.

Inside sales representative vs medical sales representative overview

	Inside Sales Representative	Medical Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$44,413	$74,079
Hourly rate	$21.35	$35.61
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	244,168	206,149
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	2

What does an inside sales representative do?

An inside sales representative is responsible for selling services and products to clients, driving the company's revenues and increase sales profitability. Duties of an inside sales representative include developing strategic sales pitches, responding to customer's inquiries and requests, offering promotional products and discounts, researching potential clients, creating sales reports, and managing customer's possible complaints. An inside sales representative also provides strategic solutions to share with the sales team to improve their sales performance. Inside sales representatives must have excellent communication and negotiation skills to deal with customers' needs.

What does a medical sales representative do?

A medical sales representative, also known as a pharmaceutical sales representative, is an individual who is responsible for selling and promoting medications and medical equipment. Medical sales representatives set appointments with doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals so that they can promote their company's medical supplies. They are required to build and maintain relationships with their customers so that they can encourage repeat purchases. Medical sales representatives should obtain a bachelor's degree in nursing, pharmacy, life sciences, or a related field.

Inside sales representative vs medical sales representative salary

Inside sales representatives and medical sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Inside Sales Representative	Medical Sales Representative
Average salary	$44,413	$74,079
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $69,000	Between $45,000 And $121,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	California
Best paying company	Berkshire Hathaway	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Technology	Pharmaceutical

Differences between inside sales representative and medical sales representative education

There are a few differences between an inside sales representative and a medical sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Inside Sales Representative	Medical Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 82%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred	University of Pennsylvania

Inside sales representative vs medical sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between inside sales representatives' and medical sales representatives' demographics:

	Inside Sales Representative	Medical Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 54.7% Female, 45.3%	Male, 51.3% Female, 48.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between inside sales representative and medical sales representative duties and responsibilities

Inside sales representative example responsibilities.

Coordinate commercial sales and manage projects with HVAC contractors for Georgia district.
Accomplish tasks in a timely manner.Skills UsedComputer, math, reading wiring schematics.
Generate leads through the use of Linkedin, firm websites and legal magazines.
Manage and develop a nationwide territory through cold calling utilizing LinkedIn?, DiscoverOrg.
Manage help desk support for company ERP system as well as employee hardware and software issues.
Manage a team of 15-25 ISE's through effective sales coaching, call monitoring and creating sales spiff programs.

Medical sales representative example responsibilities.

Lead the sales team in number of CPAP's sell monthly.
Work closely with manage care plans, Medicare and Medicaid to ensure full coverage of all products in portfolio
Follow policies and procedures to accomplish responsibilities including following HIPAA regulations.
Develop customer relationships and achieve sales objectives for product portfolio consisting of CNS products.
Present clinical information and lead discussions on various types of treatment for hypertension and acute coronary syndrome.
Utilize CRM database to manage and track prospect interaction to ensure accurate documentation of window requirements and ongoing communication.

Inside sales representative vs medical sales representative skills

Common inside sales representative skills

Customer Service, 22%
CRM, 6%
Outbound Calls, 5%
Product Knowledge, 4%
Work Ethic, 4%
Sales Process, 3%

Common medical sales representative skills

Patients, 17%
Medical Sales, 16%
Customer Service, 9%
Sales Territory, 6%
Product Knowledge, 6%
Ventilation, 5%

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Inside Sales Representative vs Medical Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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