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The differences between instruments sales representatives and pharmaceutical sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an instruments sales representative and a pharmaceutical sales representative. Additionally, an instruments sales representative has an average salary of $129,809, which is higher than the $68,571 average annual salary of a pharmaceutical sales representative.
The top three skills for an instruments sales representative include capital equipment, mixers and spine. The most important skills for a pharmaceutical sales representative are patients, pharmaceutical products, and develop strong relationships.
| Instruments Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $129,809 | $68,571 |
| Hourly rate | $62.41 | $32.97 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 159,779 | 102,935 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 85% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An Instruments Sales Representative is in charge of reaching out to potential clients and businesses, aiming to secure sales. They typically offer products and services to clients through calls, correspondence, or even face-to-face interactions, depending on their company of employment. They conduct market research and analysis to find business and client opportunities, identify and utilize marketing trends, generate leads, discuss product and payment details to clients, and develop sales strategies while adhering to its policies and regulations.
The job of pharmaceutical sales representatives is to inform and educate doctors about a company's medical and pharmaceutical products. They serve as the link between a company and healthcare professionals to hit sales targets. They have varied responsibilities, including assessing clients' needs and presenting suitable products, delivering product samples, and working sales teams to develop and implement brand strategies. This role's qualifications include relevant work experience, excellent communication, sales, negotiation skills, and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Instruments sales representatives and pharmaceutical sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instruments Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $129,809 | $68,571 |
| Salary range | Between $93,000 And $179,000 | Between $42,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between an instruments sales representative and a pharmaceutical sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Instruments Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 85% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between instruments sales representatives' and pharmaceutical sales representatives' demographics:
| Instruments Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.4% Female, 33.6% | Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |