Post job

Technical sales specialist vs technical sales representative

The differences between technical sales specialists and technical sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a technical sales specialist and a technical sales representative. Additionally, a technical sales specialist has an average salary of $86,598, which is higher than the $71,310 average annual salary of a technical sales representative.

The top three skills for a technical sales specialist include customer service, technical knowledge and cloud. The most important skills for a technical sales representative are sales process, business development, and sales support.

Technical sales specialist vs technical sales representative overview

Technical Sales SpecialistTechnical Sales Representative
Yearly salary$86,598$71,310
Hourly rate$41.63$34.28
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs212,987237,456
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4747
Years of experience22

What does a technical sales specialist do?

A technical sales specialist is in charge of devising strategies to develop technical solutions for optimizing sales procedures. Their responsibilities revolve around identifying market and client needs, assessing existing programs and projects to determine its strengths and weaknesses, and recommending improvements as needed. A technical sales specialist may also interact with walk-in clients, or reach out to them through calls and correspondence, to demonstrate and offer products and services. Furthermore, as a technical sales specialist, it is essential to produce progress reports and maintain records of transactions, all while prioritizing to meet sales targets.

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.

Technical sales specialist vs technical sales representative salary

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

Technical Sales SpecialistTechnical Sales Representative
Average salary$86,598$71,310
Salary rangeBetween $57,000 And $129,000Between $39,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyGoogleGoogle
Best paying industry--

Differences between technical sales specialist and technical sales representative education

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

Technical Sales SpecialistTechnical Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Technical sales specialist vs technical sales representative demographics

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

Technical Sales SpecialistTechnical Sales Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 75.3% Female, 24.7%Male, 73.3% Female, 26.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.6% 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, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between technical sales specialist and technical sales representative duties and responsibilities

Technical sales specialist example responsibilities.

  • Use of CRM software to work with potential leads.
  • Conduct budgeting and funding discussions with administrators to achieve ROI on purchases.
  • Develop pull-through strategies that effectively promote RibaPak through Gastroenterologists clinics and manage care organizations.
  • Educate nurses and technicians on products under FDA requirements.
  • Develop protocols for product uses prior to FDA approval.
  • Identify niche market comprise of HCP's in underserve rural areas.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Technical sales specialist vs technical sales representative skills

Common technical sales specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Technical Knowledge, 11%
  • Cloud, 7%
  • Product Sales, 7%
  • Client Facing, 6%
  • Competitive Landscape, 5%
Common technical sales representative skills
  • Sales Process, 23%
  • Business Development, 17%
  • Sales Support, 15%
  • Post Sales, 12%
  • Java, 5%
  • OEM, 3%