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The differences between technical managers and technical sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a technical manager, becoming a technical sales manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a technical sales manager has an average salary of $129,770, which is higher than the $116,619 average annual salary of a technical manager.
The top three skills for a technical manager include project management, infrastructure and architecture. The most important skills for a technical sales manager are customer satisfaction, sales management, and CRM.
| Technical Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $116,619 | $129,770 |
| Hourly rate | $56.07 | $62.39 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 116,732 | 193,981 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
A technical manager is responsible for maintaining the company's information systems database and analyzing technology system matters to ensure its efficiency and accuracy in supporting business operations. Technical managers perform network checks regularly to assess any possible malfunctions that might compromise the company's cybersecurity. They carefully analyze business and clients' specifications on working with systems integration, responding to end-users' concerns and inquiries. A technical manager must have excellent knowledge of the information technology systems industry, as well as a strong command on network codes to conduct adjustments and manage network infrastructure.
A technical sales manager is responsible for monitoring the sales techniques and performance of the sales team in selling technical services and systems to the customers. Technical sales managers coordinate with clients to discuss and negotiate offers of new products and services. They also identify business opportunities by analyzing current technology trends from public demands to generate more revenue resources and increase the company's profits. A technical sales manager facilitates and plans sales training and programs to maximize staff's efficiency and productivity.
Technical managers and technical sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Average salary | $116,619 | $129,770 |
| Salary range | Between $84,000 And $161,000 | Between $90,000 And $186,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Columbia, MD |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | A.T. Kearney | Palo Alto Networks |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a technical manager and a technical sales manager in terms of educational background:
| Technical Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between technical managers' and technical sales managers' demographics:
| Technical Manager | Technical Sales Manager | |
| Average age | 40 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3% | Male, 86.2% Female, 13.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.4% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 14% | 7% |