Territory sales representative vs direct sales representative

The differences between territory sales representatives and direct sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a territory sales representative and a direct sales representative. Additionally, a direct sales representative has an average salary of $43,527, which is higher than the $34,431 average annual salary of a territory sales representative.

The top three skills for a territory sales representative include customer service, CRM and product knowledge. The most important skills for a direct sales representative are customer service, direct sales, and TV.

Territory sales representative vs direct sales representative overview

	Territory Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$34,431	$43,527
Hourly rate	$16.55	$20.93
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	219,928	159,668
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	4	4

What does a territory sales representative do?

A territory sales representative is responsible for selling goods and services, assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns, and monitoring the assigned area's sales reports. Territory sales representatives coordinate with the rest of the sales team to develop effective marketing strategies and promotional techniques to increase revenues and profitability. Territory sales representatives research current market trends to identify business opportunities to meet consumer demands and widen their services. A territory sales representative must have excellent knowledge of the sales disciplines and principles, managing the market approach to ensure customer satisfaction.

What does a direct sales representative do?

As a direct sales representative, you are responsible for creating customer awareness of a company's products and services and closing sales. You will perform varied tasks that include assisting in developing and executing marketing and sales plans, conducting research on competing products, and identifying opportunities to improve sales. Additionally, you are expected to answer inquiries about product features, availability, benefits, and pricing. Other tasks that you are likely to perform include attending trade shows, preparing sales proposals for prospective buyers, and preparing sales reports.

Territory sales representative vs direct sales representative salary

Territory sales representatives and direct sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Territory Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average salary	$34,431	$43,527
Salary range	Between $15,000 And $78,000	Between $27,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Salem, OR
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Maine
Best paying company	IBM	Google
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between territory sales representative and direct sales representative education

There are a few differences between a territory sales representative and a direct sales representative in terms of educational background:

	Territory Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 79%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Territory sales representative vs direct sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between territory sales representatives' and direct sales representatives' demographics:

	Territory Sales Representative	Direct Sales Representative
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 69.1% Female, 30.9%	Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between territory sales representative and direct sales representative duties and responsibilities

Territory sales representative example responsibilities.

Track leads, log calls/activities, move sales cycle, and report/forecast using Salesforce.
Develop and manage a portfolio of customers seeking cost-effective, knowledgeable travel consultation and options.
Introduce CRM to corporate management to enhance customer relationships.
Provide training and direction to authorize distributors within western Washington.
Participate with dealers, distributors and clients concerning sales and advertising opportunities.
Record all customer contact utilizing company CRM (customer relationship management system).

Direct sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage accounts and create invoices via QuickBooks.
Achieve and maintain high-volume sales output, for cell phones and broadband products to stay employ with company.
Contact medicare eligible recipients to sell medicare advantage plans through in-home meetings, community seminars and direct telesales.
Canvass assigned sales territory and solicit orders for new or upgrade cable, broadband and digital phone services.
Generate revenue by selling and upselling services while developing client base throughout territory.
Prospect and generate sales revenue by adding new program residential customers and cross selling and upselling current residential customers.

Territory sales representative vs direct sales representative skills

Common territory sales representative skills

Customer Service, 18%
CRM, 7%
Product Knowledge, 5%
Excellent Time Management, 5%
Sales Growth, 5%
Business Relationships, 4%

Common direct sales representative skills

Customer Service, 33%
Direct Sales, 20%
TV, 15%
Work Ethic, 4%
Technical Troubleshooting, 3%
Door-To-Door Sales, 3%

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Territory Sales Representative
Territory Sales Representative vs Direct Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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