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Senior sales engineer vs technical sales manager

The differences between senior sales engineers and technical sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a senior sales engineer, becoming a technical sales manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a technical sales manager has an average salary of $129,770, which is higher than the $116,026 average annual salary of a senior sales engineer.

The top three skills for a senior sales engineer include pre sales, cloud and product demonstrations. The most important skills for a technical sales manager are customer satisfaction, sales management, and CRM.

Senior sales engineer vs technical sales manager overview

Senior Sales EngineerTechnical Sales Manager
Yearly salary$116,026$129,770
Hourly rate$55.78$62.39
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs81,179193,981
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4446
Years of experience68

What does a senior sales engineer do?

A senior sales engineer is responsible for assisting the marketing and sales team on the technical aspect of operations. Senior sales engineers help the team to structure efficient deliverables and high-quality outputs using their technical expertise for requirements. They identify business opportunities by analyzing sales movements and conducting statistical data management that would generate more revenue resources and attract business partnerships. A senior sales engineer recommends process improvement techniques to meet client requirements and specifications within budget limitations and deadlines.

What does a technical sales manager do?

A technical sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales techniques and performance of the sales team in selling technical services and systems to the customers. Technical sales managers coordinate with clients to discuss and negotiate offers of new products and services. They also identify business opportunities by analyzing current technology trends from public demands to generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits. A technical sales manager facilitates and plans sales training and programs to maximize staff's efficiency and productivity.

Senior sales engineer vs technical sales manager salary

Senior sales engineers and technical sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Sales EngineerTechnical Sales Manager
Average salary$116,026$129,770
Salary rangeBetween $86,000 And $154,000Between $90,000 And $186,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCColumbia, MD
Highest paying stateVirginiaNew Hampshire
Best paying companyTeslaPalo Alto Networks
Best paying industryProfessionalManufacturing

Differences between senior sales engineer and technical sales manager education

There are a few differences between a senior sales engineer and a technical sales manager in terms of educational background:

Senior Sales EngineerTechnical Sales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of Southern California

Senior sales engineer vs technical sales manager demographics

Here are the differences between senior sales engineers' and technical sales managers' demographics:

Senior Sales EngineerTechnical Sales Manager
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 91.5% Female, 8.5%Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between senior sales engineer and technical sales manager duties and responsibilities

Senior sales engineer example responsibilities.

  • Create tools to manage customer projects, such as standardized proposals, technical templates, and SQL tracking database.
  • Provide pre-sales, complex technical solutions for client voice/data applications with sales team.
  • Coordinate all pre-sales support resources including product development, engineering, and technical support.
  • Perform equipment configuration of DSLAM equipment, routers, and switches.
  • Establish software value and drive customer sales by establishing ROI and TCO initiatives.
  • Develop complex data models and implement complex workflows using webhooks, javascript and multiple APIs.
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Technical sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve annual sales and profit objectives for fast-pace company by securing contracts to sell automation components to MRO & OEM clients.
  • Manage sales pipeline in CRM system for predictable revenue generation, prioritization and forecasting.
  • Develop new customers in the region assign through independent travel, managing distributor relationships and OEM relationships.
  • Determine product pricing base on multiple ROI factors.
  • Recognize as trusted subject matter expert all in SaaS, virtual lab and eLearning services.
  • Own & drive client strategy from a technology perspective including leading proof of concept and ROI initiatives.
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Senior sales engineer vs technical sales manager skills

Common senior sales engineer skills
  • Pre Sales, 8%
  • Cloud, 6%
  • Product Demonstrations, 6%
  • Product Management, 5%
  • Technical Expertise, 4%
  • RFI, 4%
Common technical sales manager skills
  • Customer Satisfaction, 11%
  • Sales Management, 9%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Product Line, 5%
  • Business Development, 5%
  • Sales Strategies, 4%