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Medical sales specialist vs specialty sales representative

The differences between medical sales specialists and specialty sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical sales specialist and a specialty sales representative. Additionally, a medical sales specialist has an average salary of $69,959, which is higher than the $67,605 average annual salary of a specialty sales representative.

The top three skills for a medical sales specialist include patients, medical devices and medical sales. The most important skills for a specialty sales representative are patients, product knowledge, and territory management.

Medical sales specialist vs specialty sales representative overview

Medical Sales SpecialistSpecialty Sales Representative
Yearly salary$69,959$67,605
Hourly rate$33.63$32.50
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs76,398174,608
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 86%
Average age4747
Years of experience22

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 a specialty sales representative do?

Specialty sales representatives are responsible for selling products and services using firm arguments to possible clients. Also, they perform a cost-benefit study of present and prospective clients. These representatives support positive business relationships to guarantee future sales. Their main role is to give complete and correct solutions to clients to enhance top-line revenue progress, profitability, and investment levels. Their duties include reaching out to customer leads through telemarketing as well as maximize customer satisfaction by efficiently providing resolutions to their issues and complaints.

Medical sales specialist vs specialty sales representative salary

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

Medical Sales SpecialistSpecialty Sales Representative
Average salary$69,959$67,605
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $102,000Between $40,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyMedline-
Best paying industryPharmaceutical-

Differences between medical sales specialist and specialty sales representative education

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

Medical Sales SpecialistSpecialty Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 79%Bachelor's Degree, 86%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Medical sales specialist vs specialty sales representative demographics

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

Medical Sales SpecialistSpecialty Sales Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 50.8% Female, 49.2%Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1%
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, 73.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between medical sales specialist and specialty sales representative 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

Specialty sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Utilize CRM system and other applications to manage all sales within the renewal stages.
  • Collaborate with management, marketing, and training departments to achieve the common goals of Merck.
  • Manage allocated resources and accountable for pharmaceutical samples in accordance with FDA and PDMA guidelines; responsible for expense management.
  • Manage tough relationships with key reimbursement decision-makers in hospitals, renal and oncology clinics throughout territory.
  • Manage the development, productivity and utilization of local, regional and national speakers for hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
  • Perform several educational sales presentations to large audiences on appropriate pain management for patients.
  • Show more

Medical sales specialist vs specialty sales representative skills

Common medical sales specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Medical Devices, 12%
  • Medical Sales, 10%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Capital Equipment, 7%
  • Sales Territory, 5%
Common specialty sales representative skills
  • Patients, 14%
  • Product Knowledge, 9%
  • Territory Management, 7%
  • Neurology, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Medical Sales, 5%