Specialty sales representative vs associate sales representative

The differences between specialty sales representatives and associate 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 specialty sales representative, becoming an associate sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a specialty sales representative has an average salary of $67,605, which is higher than the $51,007 average annual salary of an associate sales representative.

The top three skills for a specialty sales representative include patients, product knowledge and territory management. The most important skills for an associate sales representative are work ethic, patients, and product knowledge.

Specialty sales representative vs associate sales representative overview

	Specialty Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$67,605	$51,007
Hourly rate	$32.50	$24.52
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	174,608	333,049
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 86%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	2	4

What does a specialty sales representative do?

Specialty sales representatives are responsible for selling products and services using firm arguments to possible clients. Also, they perform a cost-benefit study of present and prospective clients. These representatives support positive business relationships to guarantee future sales. Their main role is to give complete and correct solutions to clients to enhance top-line revenue progress, profitability, and investment levels. Their duties include reaching out to customer leads through telemarketing as well as maximize customer satisfaction by efficiently providing resolutions to their issues and complaints.

What does an associate sales representative do?

The duties of an associate sales representative depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around reaching out to clients through calls or door-to-door visits, offering products and services, collecting payments, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures when necessary. An associate sales representative often has a quota and deadline to reach; therefore, it is essential to be sales driven and goal-oriented. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations of the company.

Specialty sales representative vs associate sales representative salary

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

	Specialty Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Average salary	$67,605	$51,007
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $113,000	Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Verint
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between specialty sales representative and associate sales representative education

There are a few differences between a specialty sales representative and an associate sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Specialty Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 86%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Specialty sales representative vs associate sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between specialty sales representatives' and associate sales representatives' demographics:

	Specialty Sales Representative	Associate Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 50.9% Female, 49.1%	Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.3% 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 specialty sales representative and associate sales representative duties and responsibilities

Specialty sales representative example responsibilities.

Utilize CRM system and other applications to manage all sales within the renewal stages.
Collaborate with management, marketing, and training departments to achieve the common goals of Merck.
Manage allocated resources and accountable for pharmaceutical samples in accordance with FDA and PDMA guidelines; responsible for expense management.
Manage tough relationships with key reimbursement decision-makers in hospitals, renal and oncology clinics throughout territory.
Manage the development, productivity and utilization of local, regional and national speakers for hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
Perform several educational sales presentations to large audiences on appropriate pain management for patients.

Associate sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
Learned how to ask proper questions and communicate MetLife's product differentiators against competition

Specialty sales representative vs associate sales representative skills

Common specialty sales representative skills

Patients, 14%
Product Knowledge, 9%
Territory Management, 7%
Neurology, 6%
Work Ethic, 6%
Medical Sales, 5%

Common associate sales representative skills

Work Ethic, 16%
Patients, 13%
Product Knowledge, 12%
Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
Excellent Organizational, 4%
Sales Techniques, 4%

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Specialty Sales Representative
Specialty Sales Representative vs Associate Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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