Sales
Parts Salespersons
Also called: Parts Advisor, Parts Consultant, Parts Counter Salesperson, Parts Counterman
US median pay
$38,630
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
30,000
273,300 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
What they do day to day
- Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
- Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
- Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
- Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
- Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
- Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
- Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
- Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
- Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
- Manage shipments by researching shipping methods or costs and tracking packages.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Persuasion3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.4/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
- Instructing2.9/5
- Coordination2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.4/5
- Sales and Marketing4.1/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Administrative3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
- English Language3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma47%
- Some college25%
- Bachelor's degree14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.