Telephone sales representative vs service representative

The differences between telephone sales representatives and service representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a service representative has an average salary of $33,692, 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 service representative are customer service, client service, and patients.

Telephone sales representative vs service representative overview

	Telephone Sales Representative	Service Representative
Yearly salary	$28,512	$33,692
Hourly rate	$13.71	$16.20
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	214,765	210,671
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	37	40
Years of experience	-	12

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 service representative do?

Service representatives handle customer inquiries, requests, complaints, and other general feedback. They are usually the first point of contact with the company's customers. Service representatives are expected to be familiar with all of the company's products so that they can answer all inquiries made by the customers. They should also be familiar with company policies and guidelines on sales and customer handling so that they can address concerns and feedback. They are usually the ones who try to resolve customer complaints by sending issues to applicable departments and ensuring that customers are satisfied with the company's products and services.

Telephone sales representative vs service representative salary

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

	Telephone Sales Representative	Service Representative
Average salary	$28,512	$33,692
Salary range	Between $17,000 And $47,000	Between $24,000 And $45,000
Highest paying City	Beverly, MA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New York
Best paying company	UnitedHealth Group	Northern Trust
Best paying industry	Media	Government

Differences between telephone sales representative and service representative education

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

	Telephone Sales Representative	Service Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Telephone sales representative vs service representative demographics

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

	Telephone Sales Representative	Service Representative
Average age	37	40
Gender ratio	Male, 41.5% Female, 58.5%	Male, 39.6% Female, 60.4%
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, 11.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	11%	7%

Differences between telephone sales representative and service 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

Service representative example responsibilities.

Utilize QuickBooks to manage patient's payment for hearing aids and various equipment.
Join online marketplace specializing in local deals to manage customer engagements while providing industry-best service.
Manage customer relations with internal personnel, group administrators, brokers and members as related to Medicare insurance.
Involve great interpersonal skills and upselling.
Provide excellent customer service via ZenDesk e-mail platform.
Counsele individuals who are applying for or receiving TANF.

Telephone sales representative vs service 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 service representative skills

Customer Service, 9%
Client Service, 8%
Patients, 7%
PET, 5%
Front Desk, 5%
Veterans, 5%

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Telephone Sales Representative
Telephone Sales Representative vs Service Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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