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Medical field representative vs pharmaceutical sales representative

The differences between medical field representatives and pharmaceutical sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical field representative, becoming a pharmaceutical sales representative takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a pharmaceutical sales representative has an average salary of $68,571, which is higher than the $38,235 average annual salary of a medical field representative.

The top three skills for a medical field representative include patients, EMT and CPR. The most important skills for a pharmaceutical sales representative are patients, pharmaceutical products, and develop strong relationships.

Medical field representative vs pharmaceutical sales representative overview

Medical Field RepresentativePharmaceutical Sales Representative
Yearly salary$38,235$68,571
Hourly rate$18.38$32.97
Growth rate16%4%
Number of jobs118,912102,935
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 85%
Average age3747
Years of experience122

Medical field representative vs pharmaceutical sales representative salary

Medical field representatives and pharmaceutical sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Field RepresentativePharmaceutical Sales Representative
Average salary$38,235$68,571
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $54,000Between $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

Differences between medical field representative and pharmaceutical sales representative education

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

Medical Field RepresentativePharmaceutical Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Bachelor's Degree, 85%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Medical field representative vs pharmaceutical sales representative demographics

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

Medical Field RepresentativePharmaceutical Sales Representative
Average age3747
Gender ratioMale, 60.4% Female, 39.6%Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical field representative and pharmaceutical sales representative duties and responsibilities

Medical field representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage medical/isolation stalls and surgery treatment facility and assist in post surgery care.
  • Review release of information to ensure HIPAA accuracy.
  • Skil to implement all HIPAA standards in processes.
  • Review records for completeness, accuracy and compliance with HIPPA regulations.
  • Receive and prepare all subpoenas from the courts for medical records using HIPPA guidelines.
  • Coordinate efforts for initiating in office laser vein clinic and phlebotomy.
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Pharmaceutical sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage and establish relationships within specialty urology and neurology markets to drive new and existing therapies.
  • Demonstrate strong teamwork skills by partnering with Novartis counterparts and other pharmaceutical consultants to achieve company and individual goals.
  • Manage Santa Rosa/San Francisco territories, marketing and selling respiratory, urology, cardiology to pharmacies and primary care physicians.
  • Retail sales division promoting drugs in gastroenterology, endocrinology, pain management and infectious disease.
  • Call on and maintain relationships with primary care physicians, cardiologists, nephrologists, internists, gastroenterologists, and endocrinologists.
  • Call on primary care physicians, cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, and vascular surgeons.
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Medical field representative vs pharmaceutical sales representative skills

Common medical field representative skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • EMT, 12%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Medical Care, 8%
  • EMS, 7%
  • Life Support, 6%
Common pharmaceutical sales representative skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Pharmaceutical Products, 8%
  • Develop Strong Relationships, 6%
  • Territory Management, 5%
  • FDA, 4%
  • Business Plan, 4%

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