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Technical sales representative vs sales representative

The differences between technical sales representatives and 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 technical sales representative, becoming a sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a technical sales representative has an average salary of $71,310, which is higher than the $56,591 average annual salary of a 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 sales representative are sales process, product knowledge, and customer service.

Technical sales representative vs sales representative overview

Technical Sales RepresentativeSales Representative
Yearly salary$71,310$56,591
Hourly rate$34.28$27.21
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs237,456205,456
Job satisfaction54.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4747
Years of experience24

What does a technical sales representative do?

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.

What does a sales representative do?

Sales representatives primarily sell the company's products and services to businesses or organizations. They should be adept at closing out sales, negotiating, and providing customer service. They should be knowledgeable about the products or services of the manufacturer or producer they represent. They must also have strong analytical skills that would help them in coming up with cost-benefit analysis in assessing the current roster of clients and even prospective ones. Sales representatives should also be able to maintain good working relationships with all involved stakeholders, especially clients.

Technical sales representative vs sales representative salary

Technical sales representatives and sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Technical Sales RepresentativeSales Representative
Average salary$71,310$56,591
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $129,000Between $33,000 And $94,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyGoogleGoogle
Best paying industry-Pharmaceutical

Differences between technical sales representative and sales representative education

There are a few differences between a technical sales representative and a sales representative in terms of educational background:

Technical Sales RepresentativeSales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Technical sales representative vs sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between technical sales representatives' and sales representatives' demographics:

Technical Sales RepresentativeSales Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 73.3% Female, 26.7%Male, 58.1% Female, 41.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between technical sales representative and sales representative duties and responsibilities

Technical sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Administer product and system design engineering support, prepare RFP responses, deliver presentations, and manage field support calls.
  • Manage and assist a vast customer base in the market for new roofing needs after a large hail storm in Lubbock.
  • Conduct sales, build orders, maintain cleanliness and ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Direct overall account customer relations and assist in OEM product development.
  • Maintain cleanliness provide exceptional customer satisfaction by assisting them in the selection of update fashion to complement their selection.
  • Document key sales activities in the company's customer relationship management (CRM) system.
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Sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage prospective leads and existing accounts through a CRM platform to accurately forecast revenue and develop long-term business partnerships.
  • Manage and create all content distribute via various social media outlets: Facebook, twitter, feedback blogs, etc.
  • Search for procurement contracts, attend trade shows, design flyers, postcards, etc.
  • Utilize POS sales software to maintain monetary sales information produce reports for organizational review.
  • Develop and maintain business relationships with businesses and policyholders using establish methods such as customer relationship management CRM.
  • Handle administrative and sales duties as Jr.
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Technical sales representative vs sales representative skills

Common technical sales representative skills
  • Sales Process, 23%
  • Business Development, 17%
  • Sales Support, 15%
  • Post Sales, 12%
  • Java, 5%
  • OEM, 3%
Common sales representative skills
  • Sales Process, 9%
  • Product Knowledge, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • CRM, 6%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Sales REP, 5%