Sales
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Also called: Account Representative, Customer Account Technician, Inside Salesperson, Outside Sales Representative
US median pay
$72,080
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-0.9%
declining
Openings a year (US)
99,800
1,279,400 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
What they do day to day
- Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
- Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
- Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
- Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
- Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
- Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
- Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.
- Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.
- Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
- Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Persuasion3.8/5
- Negotiation3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Coordination3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Time Management3.0/5
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing4.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- English Language4.4/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Transportation3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma48%
- Bachelor's degree34%
- Some college14%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.