Telephone sales representative vs sales support representative

The differences between telephone sales representatives and sales support representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales support representative has an average salary of $38,310, which is higher than the $28,512 average annual salary of a telephone sales representative.

The top three skills for a telephone sales representative include outbound calls, telephone sales and life insurance. The most important skills for a sales support representative are sales support, phone calls, and POS.

Telephone sales representative vs sales support representative overview

	Telephone Sales Representative	Sales Support Representative
Yearly salary	$28,512	$38,310
Hourly rate	$13.71	$18.42
Growth rate	-4%	4%
Number of jobs	214,765	319,292
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	37	47
Years of experience	-	4

What does a telephone sales representative do?

The primary job of telephone sales representatives is to sell products and services to prospective customers through telephone. They typically answer phone calls and answer inquiries from customers. Their duties and responsibilities include updating database and backup data regularly, completing forms and recording logs, and following organizational standards in order to maintain quality and exceptional customer service. Qualifications required for this role may include previous work experience in sales or a related field, customer service skills, and strong attention to detail.

What does a sales support representative do?

A sales support representative is responsible for assisting the complex operations of sales departments, performing administrative duties under the supervision of a direct manager. Sales support representatives' tasks include acknowledging and encoding customers' orders in the system, processing payments, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns about the products, writing sales reports, and updating the customer of the shipment details. They also support the sales representatives on selling goods and services to potential customers by creating marketing materials and communicating with customers over the phone and e-mail to generate revenues and increase profits.

Telephone sales representative vs sales support representative salary

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

	Telephone Sales Representative	Sales Support Representative
Average salary	$28,512	$38,310
Salary range	Between $17,000 And $47,000	Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Beverly, MA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Washington
Best paying company	UnitedHealth Group	NetApp
Best paying industry	Media	Finance

Differences between telephone sales representative and sales support representative education

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

	Telephone Sales Representative	Sales Support Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Telephone sales representative vs sales support representative demographics

Here are the differences between telephone sales representatives' and sales support representatives' demographics:

	Telephone Sales Representative	Sales Support Representative
Average age	37	47
Gender ratio	Male, 41.5% Female, 58.5%	Male, 39.9% Female, 60.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 17.8% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 3.9% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	11%	6%

Differences between telephone sales representative and sales support representative duties and responsibilities

Telephone sales representative example responsibilities.

Conduct telephone sales and interviews, compile and enter information into database, manage documents and insure customer satisfaction.
Maintain HIPAA regulations and standards.
Build, setup, troubleshoot and maintain computer hardware and software needs as necessary.
Place out bound sales calls to current DIRECTV customers and try to get them to upgrade their current channel package.
Follow governmental regulations and HIPAA guidelines.
Locate and troubleshoot items that customers have purchased

Sales support representative example responsibilities.

Manage internal CRM and inventory software to track and input sales orders, account history, and stock allocation.
Facilitate the transition from AS400 to JDE operating system.
Utilize all programs, systems, and procedures of windows operating systems.
Help customers troubleshoot technical issues with their computers, process customer transactions and handle escalate issues.
Assist in setting up and checking EDI data from customers, brokers, carriers, and truckers.
Work collaboratively with sales representatives and regional vice presidents to produce cost proposals, problem solve and troubleshoot issues.

Telephone sales representative vs sales support representative skills

Common telephone sales representative skills

Outbound Calls, 18%
Telephone Sales, 11%
Life Insurance, 11%
Product Knowledge, 7%
Customer Service, 7%
Inbound Calls, 6%

Common sales support representative skills

Sales Support, 16%
Phone Calls, 10%
POS, 8%
Product Knowledge, 7%
Customer Complaints, 6%
Customer Inquiries, 6%

Telephone Sales Representative vs. similar jobs

Telephone Sales Representative related careers

Telephone Sales Representative related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Sales Industry
Telephone Sales Representative
Telephone Sales Representative vs Sales Support Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse sales jobs