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The differences between surgical sales representatives and pharmaceutical 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 surgical sales representative and a pharmaceutical sales representative. Additionally, a surgical sales representative has an average salary of $73,379, which is higher than the $68,571 average annual salary of a pharmaceutical sales representative.
The top three skills for a surgical sales representative include medical sales, product knowledge and GYN. The most important skills for a pharmaceutical sales representative are patients, pharmaceutical products, and develop strong relationships.
| Surgical Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $73,379 | $68,571 |
| Hourly rate | $35.28 | $32.97 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 124,729 | 102,935 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 85% | Bachelor's Degree, 85% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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 job of pharmaceutical sales representatives is to inform and educate doctors about a company's medical and pharmaceutical products. They serve as the link between a company and healthcare professionals to hit sales targets. They have varied responsibilities, including assessing clients' needs and presenting suitable products, delivering product samples, and working sales teams to develop and implement brand strategies. This role's qualifications include relevant work experience, excellent communication, sales, negotiation skills, and a bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Surgical sales representatives and pharmaceutical sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Surgical Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Average salary | $73,379 | $68,571 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $113,000 | Between $42,000 And $110,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Eli Lilly and Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Pharmaceutical |
There are a few differences between a surgical sales representative and a pharmaceutical sales representative in terms of educational background:
| Surgical Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 85% | Bachelor's Degree, 85% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between surgical sales representatives' and pharmaceutical sales representatives' demographics:
| Surgical Sales Representative | Pharmaceutical Sales Representative | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0% |
| 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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |