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Specialty sales representative vs technical sales representative

The differences between specialty sales representatives and technical sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a specialty sales representative and a technical sales representative. Additionally, a technical sales representative has an average salary of $71,310, which is higher than the $67,605 average annual salary of a specialty sales representative.

The top three skills for a specialty sales representative include patients, product knowledge and territory management. The most important skills for a technical sales representative are sales process, business development, and sales support.

Specialty sales representative vs technical sales representative overview

Specialty Sales RepresentativeTechnical Sales Representative
Yearly salary$67,605$71,310
Hourly rate$32.50$34.28
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs174,608237,456
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 86%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4747
Years of experience22

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 a technical sales representative do?

A technical sales representative is responsible for selling products and services by demonstrating the product's details and features to existing and potential clients. Technical sales representatives evaluate clients' needs and recommend solutions through the organization's technology-based products. They also assist with promotional offers and marketing campaigns to boost brand awareness and increase revenues and achieve profitability goals while ensuring the highest customer satisfaction. A technical sales representative must have excellent communication and customer service skills, handling customers' inquiries, and resolving complaints.

Specialty sales representative vs technical sales representative salary

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

Specialty Sales RepresentativeTechnical Sales Representative
Average salary$67,605$71,310
Salary rangeBetween $40,000 And $113,000Between $39,000 And $129,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Google
Best paying industry--

Differences between specialty sales representative and technical sales representative education

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

Specialty Sales RepresentativeTechnical Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 86%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Specialty sales representative vs technical sales representative demographics

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

Specialty Sales RepresentativeTechnical Sales Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 50.9% Female, 49.1%Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between specialty sales representative and technical 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.
  • Show more

Technical sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Administer product and system design engineering support, prepare RFP responses, deliver presentations, and manage field support calls.
  • Manage and assist a vast customer base in the market for new roofing needs after a large hail storm in Lubbock.
  • Conduct sales, build orders, maintain cleanliness and ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Direct overall account customer relations and assist in OEM product development.
  • Maintain cleanliness provide exceptional customer satisfaction by assisting them in the selection of update fashion to complement their selection.
  • Document key sales activities in the company's customer relationship management (CRM) system.
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Specialty sales representative vs technical 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 technical sales representative skills
  • Sales Process, 23%
  • Business Development, 17%
  • Sales Support, 15%
  • Post Sales, 12%
  • Java, 5%
  • OEM, 3%