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Job outlook for pharmaceutical sales people in the United States
Pharmaceutical sales person job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected pharmaceutical sales person job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 63,300 new jobs for pharmaceutical sales people are projected over the next decade.
Pharmaceutical sales person salaries have increased 10% for pharmaceutical sales people in the last 5 years.
There are over 47,196 pharmaceutical sales people currently employed in the United States.
There are 117,428 active pharmaceutical sales person job openings in the US.
The average pharmaceutical sales person salary is $130,507.
Are pharmaceutical sales person jobs in demand?
Pharmaceutical sales person job and salary trends over time
Pharmaceutical sales person jobs over time
Pharmaceutical sales person job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 47,196 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 51,096 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 54,435 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 55,498 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 58,018 | 0.02% |
Average pharmaceutical sales person salary over time
Pharmaceutical sales person salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $130,507 | $62.74 | +6.9% |
| 2025 | $122,027 | $58.67 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $120,009 | $57.70 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | $118,729 | $57.08 | --0.2% |
| 2022 | $118,954 | $57.19 | +3.7% |
Pharmaceutical sales person jobs by state
Most common states for pharmaceutical sales people
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 288 | 42% |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 403 | 38% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,495 | 36% |
| 4 | Vermont | 623,657 | 214 | 34% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 4,003 | 31% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 2,772 | 31% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 422 | 31% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 330 | 31% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,209 | 29% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 1,005 | 28% |
| 11 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 859 | 28% |
| 12 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 3,180 | 27% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,723 | 27% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,494 | 27% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 514 | 27% |
| 16 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,144 | 25% |
| 17 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,511 | 25% |
| 18 | Delaware | 961,939 | 242 | 25% |
| 19 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 3,033 | 24% |
| 20 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,604 | 24% |
Most common cities for pharmaceutical sales people
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erie | 1 | 1% | $84,448 |
| 2 | Fort Lauderdale | 1 | 1% | $88,438 |
| 3 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $99,158 |
| 4 | Toledo | 1 | 0% | $125,477 |
Pharmaceutical Sales Person job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of pharmaceutical sales person experts
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Florida International University
Montclair State University
Denison University
Aurora University
Thomas More University
University of North Alabama
University of Central Missouri
What Pharmaceutical Sales Person skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. John Hansen: As to the first question, I would suggest any new graduate beginning in sales understand themselves to better understand what type of role they will best fit to. There has been a growing increase in assessment tests in sales to ensure that sales people are being placed in roles they will flourish in. For example, some sales people are more oriented towards finding new customers, while others are more oriented towards managing existing relationships. To the extent that new salespeople can better understand what role they will fit best to, and then secure that role, they are more likely to be successful. Beyond that, there is no substitute for hard work - particularly as one begins their career.
What's a day at work look like for a Pharmaceutical Sales Person?
John Tobon: In the near term the work day will look a lot like online learning. Everything, starting with onboarding of employees has transitioned online. Newly hired employees may not meet their supervisors and co-workers in person for several months, if ever. There will be more real time online collaboration and greater need for proficiency in the use of communication software. Graduates may not necessarily live in the city where their employer is located, this will provide greater freedom to employees but it will also increase the level of competition for some positions. In the long term, workplace will look different. As a cost savings measure, companies will maximize the amount of offsite work that can be performed by implementing hybrid models that incorporate maximum telework arrangements.
How have salaries changed over time for Pharmaceutical Sales People?
Jeffrey Gonzalez: My field is academia, and salaries have stayed fairly consistent if you get a tenure-line job. I'm part of a collective bargaining unit, which means I have a much better chance at a decent wage and decent benefits. Adjuncts do the bulk of teaching at American universities, and they don't have nearly the benefits or pay that professors get. English primary and secondary school teachers's pay has also remained consistent or declined, and teachers, like most public-college professors, have to rely on negotiations with the state for raises. We train a lot of teachers, and luckily, none of them is in it for the money.
For the students we have who go into the information or knowledge sector, they start underemployed and move up, as I said. The most recent research I've seen (and again, I'm not an economist) said that Humanities majors eventually make as much as business or more career-specific majors (public relations, etc.).
What will help Pharmaceutical Sales People increase their earning potential?
Ashley Strausser: Graduates need to do their research, know their worth and negotiate their job offer. It amazes me how many students accept the salary offered to them without considering negotiation. Graduates should do their due diligence using sites such as Glassdoor and Salary.com to compare their salary offer to similar roles in the same region. If you are going to negotiate, you must be able to make a strong case as to why you are deserving of more money. This cannot be based on what you feel you deserve, but rather the skills you possess, relevant experiences you've had and the tangible results you've achieved that will enable you to be successful in the role. Evaluate the job description to determine if you possess some, or perhaps many, of the desired qualifications beyond the minimum qualifications listed. If so, use those as part of your negotiation. If not, consider how you might be able to develop those desired qualifications to make you a stronger candidate.
Competitive candidates should have a strong, well-rounded skill set. Being able to articulate your skills and experiences (academic, co-curricular, internships, research, study abroad, etc.) both on your resume and in an interview is critical. Know the skills necessary to be effective in the roles you seek. If you are lacking skills essential to your desired roles or industries, consider completing online courses or certifications through LinkedIn Learning or Coursera. Take advantage of skill-building resources and programs available through your university. Finally, research and prepare well for your interviews. This includes conducting mock interviews with staff in your career center to practice and gain valuable feedback on ways to improve your interviewing skills.
Jacqueline Babb
Assistant Professor of Digital Marketing, Director of Graduate StudiesAurora University
Marketing Department
What technical skills for a Pharmaceutical Sales Person stand out to employers?
Jacqueline Babb: Technical skills paired with strong communication, flexibility in thought, diversity, and creative problem solving are a winning combination for job candidates. Candidates with a strong acumen in data analysis and storytelling are marketable right now.
Dr. John D. (Jack) Rudnick
ProfessorThomas More University
Department of Business Administration and Accountancy
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Pharmaceutical Sales People?
Dr. John D. (Jack) Rudnick: Proficiency in informatics, finance, entrepreneurship strategy, and quality improvement with an intentional strategy to drive these processes can have a large positive effect on revenue generation and expense reduction. CPA certification, process improvement certifications (Scrum, Lean Six Sigma, AGILE), IT certifications and long-term care licensure are beneficial credentials to consider. Leaders with a clinical background bring credibility to positions where flexibility and depth of knowledge offers prospective employers an attractive combination of credentials.
John Cicala Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Digital MarketingUniversity of North Alabama
Management & Marketing Department
What soft skills should all Pharmaceutical Sales People possess?
John Cicala Ph.D.: The ability to write for reading and not to write as if they are simply transcribing an internal conversation with the paper or whatever media is being used to communicate. They should also possess the ability to interact and to converse with others in person and to actively listen.
Stephen (Tyler) Hirlinger
Assistant Professor of MarketingUniversity of Central Missouri
Division of Business Strategy, Marketing Program
What will help Pharmaceutical Sales People increase their earning potential?
Stephen (Tyler) Hirlinger: I think creativity is a skill that's often overlooked, especially in the businessworld. If I were a student looking to differentiate myself and increase my earning potential, I'd diversify my skill set and develop my creativity as much as possible. In my opinion, creativity is the human ability that's most difficult (if not impossible) to automate with technology and will always be rewarded. Also, the ability to communicate and articulate one's ideas and thoughts effectively is a desirable skill regardless of the profession. The best communicators are often the highest earners!