Route sales representative vs sales representative

The differences between route sales representatives and sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales representative has an average salary of $56,591, which is higher than the $44,918 average annual salary of a route sales representative.

The top three skills for a route sales representative include CDL, DOT and strong customer service. The most important skills for a sales representative are sales process, product knowledge, and customer service.

Route sales representative vs sales representative overview

	Route Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$44,918	$56,591
Hourly rate	$21.60	$27.21
Growth rate	11%	4%
Number of jobs	108,194	205,456
Job satisfaction	-	4.33
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age	48	47
Years of experience	-	4

What does a route sales representative do?

A route sales representative is responsible for offering goods and services to customers in a designated area. Route sales representatives work closely with the marketing team to develop effective sales strategies, create sales pitches, and release promotional offers to generate sales, increase revenues, and build the organization's profitability. They also research the latest industry trends to identify sales opportunities and communicate findings to the team for new service offerings. A route sales representative must have excellent customer service and communication skills to assist customers in their inquiries and concerns and negotiate sales contracts.

What does a sales representative do?

Sales representatives primarily sell the company's products and services to businesses or organizations. They should be adept at closing out sales, negotiating, and providing customer service. They should be knowledgeable about the products or services of the manufacturer or producer they represent. They must also have strong analytical skills that would help them in coming up with cost-benefit analysis in assessing the current roster of clients and even prospective ones. Sales representatives should also be able to maintain good working relationships with all involved stakeholders, especially clients.

Route sales representative vs sales representative salary

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

	Route Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Average salary	$44,918	$56,591
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $54,000	Between $33,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Johnson Controls	Google
Best paying industry	Education	Pharmaceutical

Differences between route sales representative and sales representative education

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

	Route Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Route sales representative vs sales representative demographics

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

	Route Sales Representative	Sales Representative
Average age	48	47
Gender ratio	Male, 91.7% Female, 8.3%	Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	4%	6%

Differences between route sales representative and sales representative duties and responsibilities

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.

Sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage prospective leads and existing accounts through a CRM platform to accurately forecast revenue and develop long-term business partnerships.
Manage and create all content distribute via various social media outlets: Facebook, twitter, feedback blogs, etc.
Search for procurement contracts, attend trade shows, design flyers, postcards, etc.
Utilize POS sales software to maintain monetary sales information produce reports for organizational review.
Develop and maintain business relationships with businesses and policyholders using establish methods such as customer relationship management CRM.
Handle administrative and sales duties as Jr.

Route sales representative vs sales representative skills

Common route sales representative skills

CDL, 17%
DOT, 16%
Strong Customer Service, 12%
Customer Accounts, 8%
Work Ethic, 7%
Upselling, 5%

Common sales representative skills

Sales Process, 9%
Product Knowledge, 9%
Customer Service, 7%
CRM, 6%
Business Development, 6%
Sales REP, 5%

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Transportation Industry
Route Sales Representative
Route Sales Representative vs Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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