Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
Parts Salespersons
SOC: 41-2022 O*NET: 41-2022.00
Median Salary
$37,440
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
30.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
What does a Parts Salespersons do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$27,770
10th percentile
Early Career
$30,630
25th percentile
Median
$37,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$48,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$61,750
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$27,770
25th
$30,630
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$37,440
Mean: $42,390
75th
$48,410
90th
$61,750
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $33,980 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $30,630 and $48,410
- •Salary spread is 47.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 265,060 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:272,100
Top Industries
Retail Trade74%
Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers71.2%
Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers44.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.1%
Annual Openings:30,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)272,100
Current
2034 (Projected)280,600
+3.1%
+8,500
Employment Change
+3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Parts Salespersons professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
27,150 jobs$34,3601.14x
California
26,750 jobs$42,2500.86x
Florida
15,220 jobs$35,3600.90x
Pennsylvania
9,740 jobs$37,3200.94x
North Carolina
9,730 jobs$35,6301.16x
Ohio
9,580 jobs$36,0301.01x
Illinois
9,280 jobs$38,8100.89x
Georgia
8,900 jobs$36,7301.07x
Michigan
8,540 jobs$36,8501.13x
Indiana
7,760 jobs$36,5301.42x
Virginia
7,510 jobs$37,1401.07x
Washington
6,600 jobs$44,3601.08x
New York
6,120 jobs$45,5400.37x
Minnesota
5,770 jobs$47,1601.15x
Tennessee
5,460 jobs$34,7400.97x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Persuasion
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Persuasion
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Order Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Parts Salespersons
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Determine replacement parts required, according to inspections of old parts, customer requests, or customers' descriptions of malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Advise customers on substitution or modification of parts when identical replacements are not available.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Examine returned parts for defects, and exchange defective parts or refund money.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Mark and store parts in stockrooms, according to prearranged systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Discuss use and features of various parts, based on knowledge of machines or equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Demonstrate equipment to customers, and explain functioning of equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Parts Salespersons
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Parts Salespersons professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Parts Salespersons
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.60
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.43
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.20
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.16
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.11
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.10
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Self-Control
4.1
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Persistence
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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