Solution sales representative vs direct sales representative

The differences between solution sales representatives and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a solution sales representative and a direct sales representative. Additionally, a solution sales representative has an average salary of $78,463, which is higher than the $43,527 average annual salary of a direct sales representative.

The top three skills for a solution sales representative include marketing campaigns, customer satisfaction and sales process. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Solution sales representative vs direct sales representative overview

	Solution Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$78,463	$43,527
Hourly rate	$37.72	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	198,547	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a solution sales representative do?

A solution sales representative is responsible for selling and promoting the company's goods and services to clients and customers, recommending appropriate merchandise solutions depending on the customers' needs and budget limitations. Solution sales representatives identify leads through directories research and customer referrals, developing effective sales pitch to attract potential clients by discussing everything about the services. A solution sales representative must have excellent communication skills, especially in responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, processing orders, and resolving complaints.

What does a direct sales representative do?

As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.

Solution sales representative vs direct sales representative salary

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

	Solution Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$78,463	$43,527
Salary range	Between $50,000 And $120,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	Washington	Maine
Best paying company	Capgemini	Google
Best paying industry	Transportation	-

Differences between solution sales representative and direct sales representative education

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

	Solution Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Solution sales representative vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between solution sales representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

	Solution Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.6% 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 solution sales representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Solution sales representative example responsibilities.

Generate leads and evangelize product to physicians in orthopedics, hematology, internal medicine, surgery, critical care and cardiology.
Deliver effective strategies to improve financial growth while enhancing internal controls such as Microsoft CRM system.
Generate leads and evangelize product to physicians in orthopedics, hematology, internal medicine, surgery, critical care and cardiology.
Describe product to customers and accurately explain details about DirecTV services.

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Solution sales representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common solution sales representative skills

Marketing Campaigns, 25%
Customer Satisfaction, 13%
Sales Process, 10%
Business Development, 8%
Customer Relationships, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Solution Sales Representative
Solution Sales Representative vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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