Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
Sales Engineers
SOC: 41-9031 O*NET: 41-9031.00
Median Salary
$121,520
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
What does a Sales Engineers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$70,580
10th percentile
Early Career
$90,690
25th percentile
Median
$121,520
50th percentile
Experienced
$159,200
75th percentile
Top Earners
$202,670
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$70,580
25th
$90,690
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$121,520
Mean: $130,410
75th
$159,200
90th
$202,670
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $132,090 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $90,690 and $159,200
- •Salary spread is 56.4% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 56,690 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:56,800
Top Industries
Wholesale Trade27.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services26.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services26.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.5%
Annual Openings:5,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)56,800
Current
2034 (Projected)59,900
+5.5%
+3,100
Employment Change
+5.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sales Engineers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
Texas
8,870 jobs$126,8101.74x
California
6,980 jobs$134,9901.05x
Massachusetts
3,180 jobs$02.37x
New York
2,970 jobs$137,7000.85x
Colorado
2,720 jobs$136,0802.56x
Pennsylvania
2,550 jobs$98,8101.15x
Michigan
2,540 jobs$103,3501.58x
Florida
2,320 jobs$114,7700.64x
North Carolina
2,170 jobs$103,4801.20x
New Jersey
1,960 jobs$145,4101.25x
Georgia
1,430 jobs$105,8500.80x
Illinois
1,380 jobs$98,8200.62x
Arizona
1,220 jobs$169,4701.04x
Virginia
1,190 jobs$135,0800.79x
Wisconsin
1,150 jobs$117,4101.07x
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
Persuasion
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Negotiation
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Persuasion
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
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:
Persuasion
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Negotiation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators82%
5 shared skills
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products82%
5 shared skills
Labor Relations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Lawyers82%
5 shared skills
Marketing Managers82%
5 shared skills
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Active Listening
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
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 Sales Engineers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Docker
🔥 Hot TechKubernetes
🔥 Hot TechSplunk Enterprise
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechDassault Systemes SolidWorks
🔥 Hot TechAtlassian JIRA
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechApache Cassandra
🔥 Hot TechApache Hadoop
🔥 Hot TechTeradata Database
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS software
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Docker
Kubernetes
Splunk Enterprise
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Atlassian JIRA
Microsoft Dynamics
Salesforce software
Apache Cassandra
Apache Hadoop
Teradata Database
Amazon Web Services AWS software
📚 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
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡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 moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (6)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Communication & Coordination (1)General Responsibilities (10)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (1)
1
Plan and modify product configurations to meet customer needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Confer with customers and engineers to assess equipment needs and to determine system requirements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Collaborate with sales teams to understand customer requirements, to promote the sale of company products, and to provide sales support.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination94% perform96%
4
Secure and renew orders and arrange delivery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Recommend improved materials or machinery to customers, documenting how such changes will lower costs or increase production.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% 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 Sales Engineers
💡 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?
Sales Engineers professionals typically have a ECI Holland code and highly value achievement
EEnterprising
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sales Engineers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.79
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.79
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.77
Independence
CriticalIndependence
Importance Level4.67
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.65
Initiative
CriticalInitiative
Importance Level4.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Independence
4.7
Cooperation
4.7
Initiative
4.6
Analytical Thinking
4.5
Persistence
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
💡 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
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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