Sales
Telemarketers
Also called: Call Agent, Inside Sales Representative (Inside Sales Rep), Telemarketer, Telemarketing Sales Representative (Telemarketing Sales Rep)
US median pay
$35,450
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-21.4%
declining
Openings a year (US)
5,800
60,900 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
What they do day to day
- Contact businesses or private individuals by telephone to solicit sales for goods or services, or to request donations for charitable causes.
- Obtain customer information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.
- Explain products or services and prices, and answer questions from customers.
- Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.
- Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.
- Answer telephone calls from potential customers who have been solicited through advertisements.
- Deliver prepared sales talks, reading from scripts that describe products or services, to persuade potential customers to purchase a product or service or to make a donation.
- Telephone or write letters to respond to correspondence from customers or to follow up initial sales contacts.
- Adjust sales scripts to better target the needs and interests of specific individuals.
- Obtain names and telephone numbers of potential customers from sources such as telephone directories, magazine reply cards, and lists purchased from other organizations.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Persuasion4.1/5
- Service Orientation3.5/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Negotiation3.0/5
- Coordination2.5/5
- Time Management2.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.4/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.4/5
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Computers and Electronics3.1/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
- Communications and Media3.1/5
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 diploma39%
- Some college37%
- Less than high school20%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.