Internal sales representative vs direct sales representative

The differences between internal sales representatives and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an internal sales representative and a direct sales representative. Additionally, an internal sales representative has an average salary of $44,872, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.

The top three skills for an internal sales representative include phone calls, internal sales and product knowledge. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Internal sales representative vs direct sales representative overview

	Internal Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$44,872	$43,527
Hourly rate	$21.57	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	234,019	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does an internal sales representative do?

An internal sales representative aims to promote and sell different products and services to a target client. This career significant for a successful business and the growth of revenue. Typically, they receive many queries and suggestions, which means they must communicate with clients quickly and efficiently to develop a concrete solution for each issue. They log each issue to a database for future reference.

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.

Internal sales representative vs direct sales representative salary

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

	Internal Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$44,872	$43,527
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $68,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	Google
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between internal sales representative and direct sales representative education

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

	Internal Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Internal sales representative vs direct sales representative demographics

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

	Internal Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.8% 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	6%	6%

Differences between internal sales representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Internal sales representative example responsibilities.

Accomplish tasks in a timely manner.Skills UsedComputer, math, reading wiring schematics.
Provide merchandising assistance to customers by building displays, negotiating placement, replenishing permanent secondary displays and using POS materials effectively.
Learned how to ask proper questions and communicate MetLife's product differentiators against competition

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.

Internal sales representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common internal sales representative skills

Phone Calls, 12%
Internal Sales, 10%
Product Knowledge, 9%
CRM, 8%
Sales Process, 7%
Insurance Products, 7%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Internal Sales Representative
Internal Sales Representative vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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