Pharmaceutical sales representative vs territory sales representative

The differences between pharmaceutical sales representatives and territory sales 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 territory sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a pharmaceutical sales representative has an average salary of $68,571, which is higher than the $34,431 average annual salary of a territory sales representative.

The top three skills for a pharmaceutical sales representative include patients, pharmaceutical products and develop strong relationships. The most important skills for a territory sales representative are customer service, CRM, and product knowledge.

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs territory sales representative overview

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Territory Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$68,571	$34,431
Hourly rate	$32.97	$16.55
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	102,935	219,928
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 85%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
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 territory sales representative do?

A territory sales representative is responsible for selling goods and services, assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns, and monitoring the assigned area's sales reports. Territory sales representatives coordinate with the rest of the sales team to develop effective marketing strategies and promotional techniques to increase revenues and profitability. Territory sales representatives research current market trends to identify business opportunities to meet consumer demands and widen their services. A territory sales representative must have excellent knowledge of the sales disciplines and principles, managing the market approach to ensure customer satisfaction.

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs territory sales representative salary

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

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Territory Sales Representative
Average salary	$68,571	$34,431
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $110,000	Between $15,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Eli Lilly and Company	IBM
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	-

Differences between pharmaceutical sales representative and territory sales representative education

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

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Territory Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 85%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs territory sales representative demographics

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

	Pharmaceutical Sales Representative	Territory Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0%	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%
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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between pharmaceutical sales representative and territory sales 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.

Territory sales representative example responsibilities.

Track leads, log calls/activities, move sales cycle, and report/forecast using Salesforce.
Develop and manage a portfolio of customers seeking cost-effective, knowledgeable travel consultation and options.
Introduce CRM to corporate management to enhance customer relationships.
Provide training and direction to authorize distributors within western Washington.
Participate with dealers, distributors and clients concerning sales and advertising opportunities.
Record all customer contact utilizing company CRM (customer relationship management system).

Pharmaceutical sales representative vs territory sales 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 territory sales representative skills

Customer Service, 18%
CRM, 7%
Product Knowledge, 5%
Excellent Time Management, 5%
Sales Growth, 5%
Business Relationships, 4%

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Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative vs Territory Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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