Pharmaceutical sales representative vs sales development representative

The differences between pharmaceutical sales representatives and sales development representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a pharmaceutical sales representative, becoming a sales development representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a pharmaceutical sales representative has an average salary of $68,571, which is higher than the $51,504 average annual salary of a sales development representative.

The top three skills for a pharmaceutical sales representative include patients, pharmaceutical products and develop strong relationships. The most important skills for a sales development representative are SDR, lead generation, and customer service.

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs sales development representative overview

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Yearly salary	$68,571	$51,504
Hourly rate	$32.97	$24.76
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	102,935	199,588
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 85%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	2	4

What does a pharmaceutical sales representative do?

The job of pharmaceutical sales representatives is to inform and educate doctors about a company's medical and pharmaceutical products. They serve as the link between a company and healthcare professionals to hit sales targets. They have varied responsibilities, including assessing clients' needs and presenting suitable products, delivering product samples, and working sales teams to develop and implement brand strategies. This role's qualifications include relevant work experience, excellent communication, sales, negotiation skills, and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

What does a sales development representative do?

A sales development representative qualifies leads at the sales funnel's initial stages. Sales development representatives need to conduct research for prospective clients and qualify the leads before handing them to the sales team. They develop sales strategies to attract buyers or solicit potential customers. They need to build relationships with their customers to determine their needs and qualify the viability of interests to drive sales. Also, they collaborate with the sales executives making certain that corporate targets and goals are met.

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs sales development representative salary

Pharmaceutical sales representatives and sales development representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Average salary	$68,571	$51,504
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $110,000	Between $34,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Alaska
Best paying company	Eli Lilly and Company	PitchBook Data
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Start-up

Differences between pharmaceutical sales representative and sales development representative education

There are a few differences between a pharmaceutical sales representative and a sales development representative in terms of educational background:

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 85%	Bachelor's Degree, 83%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs sales development representative demographics

Here are the differences between pharmaceutical sales representatives' and sales development representatives' demographics:

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Sales Development Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0%	Male, 63.1% Female, 36.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between pharmaceutical sales representative and sales development representative duties and responsibilities

Pharmaceutical sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage and establish relationships within specialty urology and neurology markets to drive new and existing therapies.
Demonstrate strong teamwork skills by partnering with Novartis counterparts and other pharmaceutical consultants to achieve company and individual goals.
Manage Santa Rosa/San Francisco territories, marketing and selling respiratory, urology, cardiology to pharmacies and primary care physicians.
Retail sales division promoting drugs in gastroenterology, endocrinology, pain management and infectious disease.
Call on and maintain relationships with primary care physicians, cardiologists, nephrologists, internists, gastroenterologists, and endocrinologists.
Call on primary care physicians, cardiologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, and vascular surgeons.

Sales development representative example responsibilities.

Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
Develop social media strategies for Facebook, LinkedIn, and emerging social networks, generating leads.
Manage individual sales activities by developing highly effective, communications focuse relationship with multiple sales channels.
supply chain management and procurement software (SaaS).
Handle customer service inquiries, returns, and RMA exchanges.
Develop a strong knowledge of SaaS sales techniques and lead management/generation.

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs sales development representative skills

Common pharmaceutical sales representative skills

Patients, 21%
Pharmaceutical Products, 8%
Develop Strong Relationships, 6%
Territory Management, 5%
FDA, 4%
Business Plan, 4%

Common sales development representative skills

SDR, 11%
Lead Generation, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Account Executives, 5%
Linkedin, 5%
Outbound Calls, 4%

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative vs. similar jobs

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative related careers

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Sales Industry
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative vs Sales Development Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse sales jobs