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The differences between technical sales representatives and directors of technical sales 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 sales representative, becoming a director of technical sales takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a director of technical sales has an average salary of $96,380, which is higher than the $71,310 average annual salary of a technical sales representative.
The top three skills for a technical sales representative include sales process, business development and sales support. The most important skills for a director of technical sales are CRM, cloud, and sales process.
| Technical Sales Representative | Director Of Technical Sales | |
| Yearly salary | $71,310 | $96,380 |
| Hourly rate | $34.28 | $46.34 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 237,456 | 161,516 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
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.
A director of technical sales oversees and directs an organization's sales operations, aiming for profit growth and optimal services. Their duties usually entail setting goals and product roadmaps, establishing sales strategies, developing sales programs and marketing projects, and conducting research to find business and client opportunities. They may also participate in securing deals with key clients and business partners, developing sales forecasts, and recruiting employees. Moreover, as a director of technical sales, it is essential to lead and empower staff to reach goals while implementing company standards and policies.
Technical sales representatives and directors of technical sales have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Sales Representative | Director Of Technical Sales | |
| Average salary | $71,310 | $96,380 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $129,000 | Between $64,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | The Wonderful Company | |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a technical sales representative and a director of technical sales in terms of educational background:
| Technical Sales Representative | Director Of Technical Sales | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between technical sales representatives' and directors of technical sales' demographics:
| Technical Sales Representative | Director Of Technical Sales | |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7% | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 6% | 7% |