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The differences between technical sales representatives and technical sales engineers 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 technical sales engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a technical sales engineer has an average salary of $88,623, 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 technical sales engineer are customer service, sales process, and product line.
| Technical Sales Representative | Technical Sales Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,310 | $88,623 |
| Hourly rate | $34.28 | $42.61 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 237,456 | 161,743 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
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 technical sales engineer is a sales professional who provides technical sales support and advice about the products and services. Your duties typically include consulting and selling on scientifically and technologically advanced products, organizing sales visits, and liaising contracts and terms and conditions. Additionally, you are expected to collaborate with the design, engineering, production, and research and development departments on how to modify products and services that meet customers' needs. You are also responsible for attending meetings, conferences, and trade shows.
Technical sales representatives and technical sales engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Technical Sales Representative | Technical Sales Engineer | |
| Average salary | $71,310 | $88,623 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $129,000 | Between $63,000 And $122,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Oregon |
| Best paying company | ||
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between a technical sales representative and a technical sales engineer in terms of educational background:
| Technical Sales Representative | Technical Sales Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Electrical Engineering |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between technical sales representatives' and technical sales engineers' demographics:
| Technical Sales Representative | Technical Sales Engineer | |
| Average age | 47 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7% | Male, 88.6% Female, 11.4% |
| 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, 1.6% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 8.7% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |