Outside sales manager vs technical sales manager

The differences between outside sales managers and technical sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an outside sales manager and a technical sales manager. Additionally, a technical sales manager has an average salary of $129,770, which is higher than the $84,408 average annual salary of an outside sales manager.

The top three skills for an outside sales manager include product knowledge, CRM and customer service. The most important skills for a technical sales manager are customer satisfaction, sales management, and CRM.

Outside sales manager vs technical sales manager overview

	Outside Sales Manager	Technical Sales Manager
Yearly salary	$84,408	$129,770
Hourly rate	$40.58	$62.39
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	138,054	193,981
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	8	8

What does an outside sales manager do?

An outside sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales staff performance in selling goods and services to existing and potential clients and ensuring that the team meets sales objectives. Outside sales managers set reasonable sales targets and establish techniques to maximize the staff's efficiency and productivity. They regularly connect with the clients to determine their needs and make any adjustments to business plans as needed. An outside sales manager should have excellent knowledge of the current market trends to identify business opportunities that would generate more revenues and resources.

What does a technical sales manager do?

A technical sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales techniques and performance of the sales team in selling technical services and systems to the customers. Technical sales managers coordinate with clients to discuss and negotiate offers of new products and services. They also identify business opportunities by analyzing current technology trends from public demands to generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits. A technical sales manager facilitates and plans sales training and programs to maximize staff's efficiency and productivity.

Outside sales manager vs technical sales manager salary

Outside sales managers and technical sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Outside Sales Manager	Technical Sales Manager
Average salary	$84,408	$129,770
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $138,000	Between $90,000 And $186,000
Highest paying City	Albany, NY	Columbia, MD
Highest paying state	Hawaii	New Hampshire
Best paying company	Dominion Enterprises	Palo Alto Networks
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between outside sales manager and technical sales manager education

There are a few differences between an outside sales manager and a technical sales manager in terms of educational background:

	Outside Sales Manager	Technical Sales Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Southern California

Outside sales manager vs technical sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between outside sales managers' and technical sales managers' demographics:

	Outside Sales Manager	Technical Sales Manager
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9%	Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between outside sales manager and technical sales manager duties and responsibilities

Outside sales manager example responsibilities.

Manage a team of sales executives to establish and maintain professional relationships with healthcare professionals in their prospective territories.
Develop a complete marketing program where none previously exist, now serves as CRM base for company.
Used CRM tools in order to provide current and detail information relate to activities, opportunity pipeline, and close business.
Channele marketing through the establishment of international distributors servicing Mexico (Hermosillo, Mexicali, and Tijuana) and Korea.
Plan and schedule work perform by HVAC technicians.
Educate and present new approach to facility managers and plant managers including ROI analysis.

Technical sales manager example responsibilities.

Achieve annual sales and profit objectives for fast-pace company by securing contracts to sell automation components to MRO & OEM clients.
Manage sales pipeline in CRM system for predictable revenue generation, prioritization and forecasting.
Develop new customers in the region assign through independent travel, managing distributor relationships and OEM relationships.
Determine product pricing base on multiple ROI factors.
Recognize as trusted subject matter expert all in SaaS, virtual lab and eLearning services.
Own & drive client strategy from a technology perspective including leading proof of concept and ROI initiatives.

Outside sales manager vs technical sales manager skills

Common outside sales manager skills

Product Knowledge, 12%
CRM, 10%
Customer Service, 10%
Sales Territory, 7%
Sales Strategies, 4%
Sales Growth, 3%

Common technical sales manager skills

Customer Satisfaction, 11%
Sales Management, 9%
CRM, 6%
Product Line, 5%
Business Development, 5%
Sales Strategies, 4%

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Outside Sales Manager
Outside Sales Manager vs Technical Sales Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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