Sales Representatives (Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products)
O*NET title: Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Also called: Outside Sales Representatives
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Also called: Account Representative, Account Specialist, Agricultural Produce Commission Agent, Apparel Trimmings Sales Representative, Architectural Supplies Sales Representative, Artists Materials Sales Representative
Median pay
$72,080
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,090 – $137,550
People employed
1,238,190
Holland code
ECS
Enterprising · Conventional · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 4.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 5.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Sales Representatives (Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What sales representatives (wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products) do
- 01Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.
- 02Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
- 03Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.
- 04Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
- 05Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
- 06Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
- Perseverance
- Optimism
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from sales representatives (wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products)
- Advertising Sales Agents83% · −10%
- Sales Managers79% · +106%
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel79% · −3%
- Sales Engineers79% · +73%
- Insurance Sales Agents76% · −14%
Change into sales representatives (wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Online Merchants80% · $83,050
- Insurance Sales Agents79% · $62,280
- Advertising Sales Agents78% · $64,820
- Real Estate Brokers76% · $73,220
- Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers72% · $41,380
Majors that lead here
- Agricultural/Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling
- Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General
- General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other
- Fashion Merchandising
- Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations
- Special Products Marketing Operations
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.