Telesales representative vs phone representative

The differences between telesales representatives and phone representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a telesales representative and a phone representative. Additionally, a telesales representative has an average salary of $65,894, which is higher than the $42,827 average annual salary of a phone representative.

The top three skills for a telesales representative include customer service, inbound calls and lead generation. The most important skills for a phone representative are customer service, outbound calls, and telephone calls.

Telesales representative vs phone representative overview

	Telesales Representative	Phone Representative
Yearly salary	$65,894	$42,827
Hourly rate	$31.68	$20.59
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	221,315	222,650
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 37%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	12	12

What does a telesales representative do?

A telesales representative, also known as a telemarketer, is a salesperson whose duties focus on communicating with potential and existing clients through calls, aiming to secure sales and build positive customer relationships. They offer products and services, set appointments, answer inquiries, discuss product and service specifications, process orders and payments, and even assist customers in issues and concerns. Moreover, a telesales representative also conducts research and assessments to find leads for potential sales opportunities, contacts existing customers, keep records, and provides optimal services to ensure client satisfaction.

What does a phone representative do?

A Phone Representative answers customer calls, complaints, and inquiries professionally. They handle and resolve customer complaints related to its services/products and product/service sales. Besides processing applications, orders, and forms requested by customers, Phone Representatives also update customers about the products/services information. These professionals record customer complaints, inquiries, feedback, and actions taken. They develop and maintain mutually beneficial and professional relationships with each customer. Moreover, they create and maintain cordial relationships with all new customers.

Telesales representative vs phone representative salary

Telesales representatives and phone representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Telesales Representative	Phone Representative
Average salary	$65,894	$42,827
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $93,000	Between $26,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Iowa City, IA	Norco, CA
Highest paying state	Iowa	California
Best paying company	Oracle	Press Ganey
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between telesales representative and phone representative education

There are a few differences between a telesales representative and a phone representative in terms of educational background:

	Telesales Representative	Phone Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 41%	High School Diploma, 37%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Telesales representative vs phone representative demographics

Here are the differences between telesales representatives' and phone representatives' demographics:

	Telesales Representative	Phone Representative
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 46.1% Female, 53.9%	Male, 34.6% Female, 65.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 5.5% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between telesales representative and phone representative duties and responsibilities

Telesales representative example responsibilities.

Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Exceed expectations in cross-selling and upselling on all inbound and outbound calls.
Solicit cross-selling and upselling opportunities to new prospects and current customers.
Upgrade current customers who have Comcast services through outbound telephone solicitation.
Counter customer objections by remaining knowledgeable of Comcast and its competitor's services and initiatives.
Demonstrate superb organizational and multitasking abilities

Phone representative example responsibilities.

Conduct telephone sales and interviews, compile and enter information into database, manage documents and insure customer satisfaction.
Provide status of medical claims and explain EOB's.
Research and resolve incorrect payments, EOB rejections and other issues with accounts.
Answer inbound provider calls to help with billing Medicaid claims and benefits and eligibility issues.
Update alumni on current happenings in university life and act as a liaison between past and current students.
Contact hundreds of alumni and their families by telephone and raise thousands of dollars to improve school facilities and maintain school grounds

Telesales representative vs phone representative skills

Common telesales representative skills

Customer Service, 17%
Inbound Calls, 9%
Lead Generation, 8%
Closes Sales, 7%
Customer Interaction, 7%
Telemarketing, 6%

Common phone representative skills

Customer Service, 27%
Outbound Calls, 13%
Telephone Calls, 7%
Inbound Phone Calls, 7%
Troubleshoot, 6%
Computer System, 3%

Telesales Representative vs. similar jobs

Telesales Representative related careers

Telesales Representative related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Telesales Representative
Telesales Representative vs Phone Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs