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The differences between surgical 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 surgical sales representative, becoming an associate sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a surgical sales representative has an average salary of $73,379, which is higher than the $51,007 average annual salary of an associate sales representative.
The top three skills for a surgical sales representative include medical sales, product knowledge and GYN. The most important skills for an associate sales representative are work ethic, patients, and product knowledge.
| Surgical Sales Representative | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $73,379 | $51,007 |
| Hourly rate | $35.28 | $24.52 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 124,729 | 333,049 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 85% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A surgical sales representative is responsible for selling surgical devices for health care facilities with cost-efficient offers but high-quality standards. Surgical sales representatives negotiate contracts with existing and potential clients by discussing the features and benefits of their products that would attract the clients' purchasing decisions. They also manage their business proposals by sending out e-mail campaigns or personally visiting the clients' area. A surgical sales representative must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying the recent medical technology trends that would generate more revenue resources for the business.
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.
Surgical sales representatives and associate sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Surgical Sales Representative | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $73,379 | $51,007 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 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 |
There are a few differences between a surgical sales representative and an associate sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Surgical Sales Representative | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 85% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between surgical sales representatives' and associate sales representatives' demographics:
| Surgical Sales Representative | Associate Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | 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% |