Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
SOC: 41-4011 O*NET: 41-4011.00
Median Salary
$100,070
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.9%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
27.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.
What does a Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$48,840
10th percentile
Early Career
$65,640
25th percentile
Median
$100,070
50th percentile
Experienced
$146,150
75th percentile
Top Earners
$194,890
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$48,840
25th
$65,640
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$100,070
Mean: $114,520
75th
$146,150
90th
$194,890
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $146,050 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $65,640 and $146,150
- •Salary spread is 80.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 293,930 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:303,200
Top Industries
Wholesale Trade58.2%
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods35.1%
Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers27.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.9%
Annual Openings:27,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)303,200
Current
2034 (Projected)308,900
+1.9%
+5,700
Employment Change
+1.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
53,770 jobs$83,8602.04x
California
24,420 jobs$123,9800.71x
Florida
19,970 jobs$113,7301.07x
North Carolina
13,300 jobs$105,6401.42x
Arizona
10,670 jobs$83,2201.75x
Ohio
10,410 jobs$95,4200.99x
Washington
10,240 jobs$130,4701.52x
Massachusetts
10,050 jobs$98,3501.45x
Tennessee
9,400 jobs$83,1101.51x
New York
9,090 jobs$132,4100.50x
Georgia
8,670 jobs$103,9200.94x
Illinois
8,600 jobs$110,4200.74x
Michigan
7,760 jobs$108,7400.93x
Pennsylvania
7,360 jobs$91,8600.64x
Missouri
6,250 jobs$92,1001.12x
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
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Persuasion
94%
#5
Sales and Marketing
92%
#6
Oral Comprehension
92%
#7
Design
86%
#8
Reading Comprehension
86%
#9
Written Comprehension
82%
#10
Service Orientation
80%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Persuasion
advanced4.7
94%
Sales and Marketing
advanced4.6
92%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
Design
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
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:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Persuasion
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Sales and Marketing
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Design
intermediateImportance86%
knowledge
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Written Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance78%
knowledge
3.9/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators82%
5 shared skills
Bill and Account Collectors82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Fundraisers82%
5 shared skills
Insurance Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Sales and Marketing
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Negotiation
- →Building and Construction
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Persuasion
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Sales and Marketing
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Sales and Marketing
- ★Design
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 Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
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
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechIBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechSalesforce software
🔥 Hot TechApache Hadoop
🔥 Hot TechTeradata Database
🔥 Hot TechAmazon Web Services AWS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechOracle Database
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Analytics
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Azure software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Salesforce software
Apache Hadoop
Teradata Database
Amazon Web Services AWS software
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Google Analytics
Microsoft Azure software
Microsoft SharePoint
📚 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:
General Responsibilities (14)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (2)
1
Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination85% perform90%
7
Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Provide customers with ongoing technical support.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities 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 Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
💡 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 Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products professionals typically have a ECI Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.63
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.38
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.30
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.29
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.27
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.24
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Initiative
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Dependability
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Achievement/Effort
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
Independence
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
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
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
5.0k program completions/year
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
2.8k program completions/year
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Steubenville, OH
2.5k program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
1.6k program completions/year
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC
1.3k program completions/year
Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA
1.3k program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
1.2k program completions/year
Irvine Valley College
Irvine, CA
1.0k program completions/year
Connecticut State Community College
New Britain, CT
978 program completions/year
Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ
897 program completions/year
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