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What is a technical sales manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Bill Thorne,
Sachin Tuli
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Do you consider yourself a techie? Are you updated on the latest releases of gadgets from the biggest technology companies? If you are a gadget connoisseur and you are interested in working in sales, maybe you can look into being a Technical Sales Manager!

Technical Sales Managers are experienced individuals in the field of sales, particularly on items related to technology. As such, technical sales managers are familiar with different gadget specifications and are able to recommend the best gadgets for the customers' needs. Aside from knowing all about gadgets and the tech side of things, you should also know how to sell products effectively. This includes creating promotion campaigns, enticing customers to buy from your store, and having an advantage over your competitors. Not to mention, it also involves managing the overall performance of the store.

If you are a gadget lover, this probably sounds interesting to you. If you want to pursue this, start brushing up on your technical knowledge and your sales skills. Imagine designing sales campaigns for the latest releases!

What general advice would you give to a technical sales manager?

Bill ThorneBill Thorne LinkedIn profile

Executive Director of the NRF Foundation and Senior Vice President of Communication and Public Affairs of NRF, National Retail Federation

Retail is the largest private-sector employer in the country, directly employing 32 million people and supporting 52 million jobs overall - roughly one-quarter of the U.S. workforce. While COVID-19 has presented new and unexpected challenges, retailers have continued to showcase the industry's resilience and adaptability time and again. The safety and security of customers and employees remains our greatest priority. It is no doubt that the professional environment has changed this year, but retail continues to offer a plethora of career opportunities for graduates and seasoned veterans alike.
ScoreTechnical Sales ManagerUS Average
Salary
8.4

Avg. Salary $129,770

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.4

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 4.07%

Black or African American 3.24%

Hispanic or Latino 9.82%

Unknown 4.41%

White 78.23%

Gender

female 13.83%

male 86.17%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Technical sales manager career paths

Key steps to become a technical sales manager

  1. Explore technical sales manager education requirements

    Most common technical sales manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    65.1 %

    Associate

    14.4 %

    Master's

    9.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific technical sales manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Satisfaction10.73%
    Sales Management8.78%
    CRM6.46%
    Product Line5.23%
    Business Development4.86%
  3. Complete relevant technical sales manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New technical sales managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a technical sales manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real technical sales manager resumes.
  4. Research technical sales manager duties and responsibilities

    • Achieve annual sales and profit objectives for fast-pace company by securing contracts to sell automation components to MRO & OEM clients.
    • Manage sales pipeline in CRM system for predictable revenue generation, prioritization and forecasting.
    • Develop new customers in the region assign through independent travel, managing distributor relationships and OEM relationships.
    • Determine product pricing base on multiple ROI factors.
  5. Prepare your technical sales manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your technical sales manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a technical sales manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable technical sales manager resume templates

    Build a professional technical sales manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your technical sales manager resume.
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
    Technical Sales Manager Resume
  6. Apply for technical sales manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a technical sales manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first technical sales manager job

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Average technical sales manager salary

The average technical sales manager salary in the United States is $129,770 per year or $62 per hour. Technical sales manager salaries range between $90,000 and $186,000 per year.

Average technical sales manager salary
$129,770 Yearly
$62.39 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do technical sales managers rate their job?

-/5

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Technical sales manager reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021
Pros

Dealing with other professional engineers and managers that show higher levels of integrity when discussing requirements or a problem to solve.

Cons

The constant program delays and slow manufactures in support of opportunities that could be won with quicker responses.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

Motivating people and helping to create success in each person's day. Honor God serve people in rich people's lives, pursue excellence in service.

Cons

Not enough time in each day to get everything accomplished.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020
Pros

IF you have enough experience you get to walk around different manufacturing plants and tell them how you solution will impact their bottom line. every day is different.

Cons

Cold Call is pretty bad because your success rate is 1-2%. Surprises when a competitor sells to a company you did not know about and your marketing folks cant help find them.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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