Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

Also called: Account Representative, Customer Account Technician, Inside Salesperson, Outside Sales Representative, Route Sales Representative, Sales Consultant, Sales Professional, Sales Representative (Sales Rep), Salesman, Salesperson, Account Specialist, Agricultural Produce Commission Agent, Apparel Trimmings Sales Representative, Architectural Supplies Sales Representative, Artists Materials Sales Representative, Barber and Beauty Equipment Sales Representative, Barber and Beauty Supplies Sales Representative, Bottle Sales Representative, Bottling Equipment Sales Representative, Boys' Apparel Sales Representative, Bulk Plant Agent, Bulk Station Agent, Business to Business Sales Representative, Canvas Products Sales Representative, Church Furniture Sales Representative, Circulation Sales Representative, Coin Machine Sales Representative, Commercial Equipment Sales Representative, Commercial Supplies Sales Representative, Consignee, Containers Sales Representative, Cordage Sales Representative, Diamond Broker, Diamond Merchant, Distribution Agent, Distributor, Engineering Supplies Sales Representative, Enterprise Account Executive, Exporter, Factory Representative, Field Marketing Representative, Field Service Representative, Florist Supplies Salesperson, Food Products Sales Representative, Footwear Sales Representative, Freight Broker, Fuel Sales Representative, General Merchandise Sales Representative, Girls' Apparel Sales Representative, Hardware Supplies Sales Representative, Hobbies and Crafts Sales Representative, Home Furnishings Sales Representative, Hotel and Restaurant Equipment Sales Representative, Hotel and Restaurant Supply Sales Representative, Hotel Supplies Salesperson, Household Appliances Sales Representative, Importer, Independent Sales Representative, Industrial Rubber Goods Sales Representative, Inside Sales Representative, Jewelry Sales Representative, Key Account Manager (KAM), Leather Goods Sales Representative, Livestock Commission Agent, Livestock Sales Representative, Malt Liquors Sales Representative, Manufacturer's Representative, Manufacturers Agent, Marking Pens Sales Representative, Men's Apparel Sales Representative, Metal Dealer, Mill Representative, Mortician Supplies Sales Representative, Motor Vehicle Sales Representative, Motor Vehicle Supply Sales Representative, Musical Accessories Sales Representative, Musical Instrument Sales Representative, Novelties Sales Representative, Office Machines Sales Representative, Office Materials Sales Representative, Oil Distributor, Paper Products Sales Representative, Paper Sales Representative, Petroleum Products Sales Representative, Plastic Products Sales Representative, Pressure Sensitive Tape Sales Representative, Printing Supplies Sales Representative, Publication Sales Representative, Pulpwood Dealer, Recreation Sales Representative, Religious Supplies Sales Representative, Safety Apparel Sales Representative, Safety Equipment Sales Representative, Sales Account Executive, Sales Coordinator, Sales Development Representative (Sales Development Rep), Sales Negotiator, Sales Specialist, Sales Team Member, School Equipment Sales Representative, School Supplies Sales Representative, Scrap Dealer, Shoe Findings Sales Representative, Shoe Leather Sales Representative, Smoking Supplies Sales Representative, Sporting Goods Sales Representative, Textile Broker, Textile Designs Sales Representative, Textiles Sales Representative, Tobacco Drummer, Tobacco Products Sales Representative, Toilet Preparations Sales Representative, Tractor Distributor, Turf Salesperson, Uniforms Sales Representative, Vending Machine Sales Representative, Videotape Sales Representative, Water Softening Equipment Sales Representative, Wholesale Diamond Broker, Women's Apparel Sales Representative, Wool Merchant, Writing Pens Sales Representative

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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, machines and equipment

Active Listening
Speaking
Social Perceptiveness
Persuasion
Negotiation
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Active Learning
Monitoring
Coordination
Service Orientation

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Some College Courses (14.18% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

50,470–99,640 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 41-4012.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Some College Courses (14.18% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products