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Medical sales specialist vs inside sales specialist

The differences between medical sales specialists and inside sales specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a medical sales specialist, becoming an inside sales specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a medical sales specialist has an average salary of $69,959, which is higher than the $50,944 average annual salary of an inside sales specialist.

The top three skills for a medical sales specialist include patients, medical devices and medical sales. The most important skills for an inside sales specialist are customer service, CRM, and sales process.

Medical sales specialist vs inside sales specialist overview

Medical Sales SpecialistInside Sales Specialist
Yearly salary$69,959$50,944
Hourly rate$33.63$24.49
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs76,398251,423
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience24

What does a medical sales specialist do?

A medical sales specialist is an individual who advertises, markets, and distributes a specific pharmaceutical product or medical equipment to medical establishments. Medical sales specialists must manage a network of independent representatives and maintain relationships with their clients to attain territory-specific sales goals. They develop marketing strategies and business sales plans to identify key growth areas and deliver short and long-term corporate objectives. Medical sales specialists should also conduct analyses on product and market trends to achieve and exceed sales goals.

What does an inside sales specialist do?

An inside sales specialist is primarily responsible for securing sales by reaching out to clients to sell products and services. They may communicate with customers through calls and correspondence or personally recommend products in a retail store setting. Moreover, they are also responsible for responding to inquiries or concerns, identifying the customers' needs, devising strategies to find sales opportunities, and discussing products to customers. An inside sales specialist is often required to meet sales goals and report to managers should there be any issues or problems.

Medical sales specialist vs inside sales specialist salary

Medical sales specialists and inside sales specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical Sales SpecialistInside Sales Specialist
Average salary$69,959$50,944
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $102,000Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyMedlineKeller Williams Greater Seattle
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalReal Estate

Differences between medical sales specialist and inside sales specialist education

There are a few differences between a medical sales specialist and an inside sales specialist in terms of educational background:

Medical Sales SpecialistInside Sales Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Medical sales specialist vs inside sales specialist demographics

Here are the differences between medical sales specialists' and inside sales specialists' demographics:

Medical Sales SpecialistInside Sales Specialist
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 50.8% Female, 49.2%Male, 52.0% Female, 48.0%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical sales specialist and inside sales specialist duties and responsibilities

Medical sales specialist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate strong teamwork skills by partnering with Novartis counterparts and other pharmaceutical consultants to achieve company and individual goals.
  • Coordinate memory screenings working primary care and neurology practices using Eisai develop tools to increase Alzheimer's awareness.
  • Increase market share of cardiology, endocrinology and antibiotic products in the Chicago region.
  • Train and educate referral sources and patients on Medicare coverage criteria guidelines.
  • Market and promote dermatology products to dermatologists and allergist in Raleigh market.
  • Secure business from a top-rate dermatology practice that have previously establish preferred vendors.
  • Show more

Inside sales specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage individual sales activities by developing highly effective, communications focuse relationship with multiple sales channels.
  • Present presentations to potential clients through Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Maintain and update assigned territory through SalesLogix CRM program.
  • Revise and update CRM database to ensure accurate customer information.
  • Operate as inside sales consultant, primarily in areas of customer relations, sales/service support, coordinating production and transportation scheduling
  • Call on corporate counsel, c-level executives and law firms to sell solutions with traditional litigation support.
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Medical sales specialist vs inside sales specialist skills

Common medical sales specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Medical Devices, 12%
  • Medical Sales, 10%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Capital Equipment, 7%
  • Sales Territory, 5%
Common inside sales specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • CRM, 7%
  • Sales Process, 5%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • Outbound Calls, 4%