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Merchandise distributor vs route sales representative

The differences between merchandise distributors and route sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a route sales representative has an average salary of $44,918, which is higher than the $42,437 average annual salary of a merchandise distributor.

The top three skills for a merchandise distributor include sales floor, merchandise product and grocery store. The most important skills for a route sales representative are CDL, DOT, and strong customer service.

Merchandise distributor vs route sales representative overview

Merchandise DistributorRoute Sales Representative
Yearly salary$42,437$44,918
Hourly rate$20.40$21.60
Growth rate1%11%
Number of jobs10,462108,194
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age3848
Years of experience--

Merchandise distributor vs route sales representative salary

Merchandise distributors and route sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Merchandise DistributorRoute Sales Representative
Average salary$42,437$44,918
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $56,000Between $37,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Johnson Controls
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between merchandise distributor and route sales representative education

There are a few differences between a merchandise distributor and a route sales representative in terms of educational background:

Merchandise DistributorRoute Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Merchandise distributor vs route sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between merchandise distributors' and route sales representatives' demographics:

Merchandise DistributorRoute Sales Representative
Average age3848
Gender ratioMale, 68.1% Female, 31.9%Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 3.8% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%4%

Differences between merchandise distributor and route sales representative duties and responsibilities

Merchandise distributor example responsibilities.

  • Manage vendor relationships for current season catalogs, UPC codes, and discrepancies in catalog and merchandise data.
  • Assist with POS advertisement placement.
  • Lift heavy objects, move large pallets and operate large machinery.
  • Display promtional materials, such as POS, & signage accordin to company and store policies.
  • Provide nutritional product educational presentations and recruit potential distributors
  • Provide nutritional product educational presentations and recruit potential distributors

Route sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage invoice collection and customer issues.
  • Drive CDL rate truck over assign territory.
  • Complete route in timely manner via CDL truck.
  • Utilize math skills to process payments while on route.
  • Maintain cleanliness of truck and inspect truck for imperfections and safe operation.
  • Distribute daily newspapers to customers; acquire new business via effective sales and marketing techniques.
  • Show more

Merchandise distributor vs route sales representative skills

Common merchandise distributor skills
  • Sales Floor, 27%
  • Merchandise Product, 17%
  • Grocery Store, 16%
  • Retail Locations, 15%
  • Increase Sales, 8%
  • Retail Store, 5%
Common route sales representative skills
  • CDL, 17%
  • DOT, 16%
  • Strong Customer Service, 12%
  • Customer Accounts, 8%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • Upselling, 5%

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