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Sales representative vs distributor

The differences between sales representatives and distributors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a sales representative and a distributor. Additionally, a sales representative has an average salary of $56,591, which is higher than the $40,606 average annual salary of a distributor.

The top three skills for a sales representative include sales process, product knowledge and customer service. The most important skills for a distributor are distributors, customer service, and delivery truck.

Sales representative vs distributor overview

Sales RepresentativeDistributor
Yearly salary$56,591$40,606
Hourly rate$27.21$19.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs205,45689,197
Job satisfaction4.33-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

Sales representative vs distributor salary

Sales representatives and distributors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales RepresentativeDistributor
Average salary$56,591$40,606
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $94,000Between $31,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAClifton, NJ
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew Jersey
Best paying companyGoogleABB
Best paying industryPharmaceuticalHealth Care

Differences between sales representative and distributor education

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

Sales RepresentativeDistributor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Sales representative vs distributor demographics

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

Sales RepresentativeDistributor
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 58.1% Female, 41.9%Male, 56.3% Female, 43.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between sales representative and distributor duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Distributor example responsibilities.

  • Generate leads for outside sales representatives including organizing, monitoring and updating Microsoft CRM program.
  • Train in OSHA safety standards and maintain compliances.
  • Use an RF scanner to produce labels identifying repack case contents.
  • Use Facebook as a great social media outlet, as well as twitter.
  • Operate forklift and stand up forklift, used RF scanner guns to track items
  • Install new valves, water meters, taps for water meters, and fire hydrants.
  • Show more

Sales representative vs distributor skills

Common sales representative skills
  • Sales Process, 9%
  • Product Knowledge, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Sales REP, 5%
Common distributor skills
  • Distributors, 28%
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Delivery Truck, 7%
  • Customer Relations, 7%
  • Product Line, 4%
  • Wellness Products, 4%