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The differences between lead sales representatives and distribution sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a lead sales representative, becoming a distribution sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lead sales representative has an average salary of $54,079, which is higher than the $41,865 average annual salary of a distribution sales representative.
The top three skills for a lead sales representative include cleanliness, customer service and POS. The most important skills for a distribution sales representative are product knowledge, territory sales, and customer accounts.
| Lead Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $54,079 | $41,865 |
| Hourly rate | $26.00 | $20.13 |
| Growth rate | - | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 404,430 | 235,775 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A lead sales representative is responsible for selling goods and services to existing and potential customers through electronic communications and area visits. Lead sales representatives should be highly-knowledgeable of the products that the company offers to discuss and demonstrate the features to the client accurately. They take orders, process orders, and ensure the correct distribution details according to the customers' specifications. A lead sales representative also monitors the team's sales performance and strategize opportunities to maximize selling techniques and increase profitability.
A distribution sales representative is a sales professional who usually works for wholesale and manufacturing companies, aiming to secure sales with retailers and individuals. Their duties entail conducting market research and analyses to find client and business opportunities, generating leads, communicating with clients through calls, arranging appointments, answering inquiries, discussing product or service specifications, and negotiating contracts, building positive relationships along the way. Moreover, as a distribution sales representative, keeping up with the latest trends to enhance sales pitches is essential.
Lead sales representatives and distribution sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $54,079 | $41,865 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $89,000 | Between $25,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a lead sales representative and a distribution sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Lead Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between lead sales representatives' and distribution sales representatives' demographics:
| Lead Sales Representative | Distribution Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 43 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.1% Female, 44.9% | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 9% | 6% |