Internal sales representative vs outside sales representative

The differences between internal sales representatives and outside 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 an outside sales representative. Additionally, an outside sales representative has an average salary of $60,443, which is higher than the $44,872 average annual salary of an internal sales representative.

The top three skills for an internal sales representative include phone calls, internal sales and product knowledge. The most important skills for an outside sales representative are customer service, work ethic, and sales process.

Internal sales representative vs outside sales representative overview

	Internal Sales Representative	Outside Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$44,872	$60,443
Hourly rate	$21.57	$29.06
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	234,019	218,034
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
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 an outside sales representative do?

An Outside Sales Representative specializes in customer service and relations, focusing on reaching sales targets through selling and networking with clients. Among the duties revolve around reaching out to customers through calls, email, or even arranging appointments, monitoring and keeping an organized record of sales, communicating with managers or supervisors, adhering to the company's policies and regulations, and keeping extensive knowledge about the brand and the trends. Besides building rapport with customers, it is also essential for an Outside Sales Representative to be proactive and create strategies to help meet the sales target.

Internal sales representative vs outside sales representative salary

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

	Internal Sales Representative	Outside Sales Representative
Average salary	$44,872	$60,443
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $68,000	Between $41,000 And $87,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Microsoft
Best paying industry	-	Manufacturing

Differences between internal sales representative and outside sales representative education

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

	Internal Sales Representative	Outside Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Internal sales representative vs outside sales representative demographics

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

	Internal Sales Representative	Outside Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 55.0% Female, 45.0%	Male, 71.5% Female, 28.5%
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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between internal sales representative and outside 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

Outside sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain a weekly quota for broadband, and other wireless products.
Utilize CRM database to manage and track prospect interaction to ensure accurate documentation of window requirements and ongoing communication.
Web dev, SEO, PPC etc . )
Participate in the launching and marketing of broadband internet in Orlando with great success.
Provide care, materials, and essential tools for doctors and nurses working on patients in the E.R.
Create and maintain successful business partnerships with customers by analyzing, meeting and understanding their needs and patients needs.

Internal sales representative vs outside 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 outside sales representative skills

Customer Service, 17%
Work Ethic, 8%
Sales Process, 4%
Business Sales, 4%
Cold Calls, 4%
Product Knowledge, 4%

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Internal Sales Representative
Internal Sales Representative vs Outside Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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