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.

$74,100
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+1% projected 2024–2034

What They Do

Sales representatives in wholesale and manufacturing connect businesses with the products they need to operate. They spend much of their time traveling to meet with purchasing managers, retail buyers, and business owners, building relationships and demonstrating how their products can benefit each client's operations. A typical day might involve visiting several clients, making sales presentations, negotiating prices and delivery terms, and following up on previous orders. They maintain detailed knowledge of their product lines—whether that's industrial supplies, food products, furniture, or consumer goods—and stay informed about competitors' offerings. Much of their work happens on the road or at client locations, though they also spend time in offices preparing quotes, processing orders, and coordinating with their company's distribution teams.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(masters)Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, PA
$151,768
General Sales, Merchandising(masters)Texas A&M University-College Station, TX
$108,258
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Western Governors University, UT
$93,151
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Baylor University, TX
$84,271
General Sales, Merchandising(masters)CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, NY
$81,906
General Sales, Merchandising(masters)New York University, NY
$80,996
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Bellevue University, NE
$75,543
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Kennesaw State University, GA
$72,092
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(grad-cert)Georgia State University, GA
$71,243
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Texas A&M University-College Station, TX
$66,372
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)American Public University System, WV
$65,639
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Ball State University, IN
$65,184
General Sales, Merchandising(certificate)University of Missouri-Columbia, MO
$64,382
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(bachelors)Northwood University, MI
$64,100
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN
$62,580
General Sales, Merchandising(associates)Weber State University, UT
$60,215
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)University of Central Oklahoma, OK
$59,698
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, OH
$58,773
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Texas Tech University, TX
$58,665
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Lamar University, TX
$58,665
General Sales, Merchandising(certificate)Umpqua Community College, OR
$58,591
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
$57,760
General Sales, Merchandising(bachelors)Weber State University, UT
$57,451
General Sales, Merchandising(certificate)Kent State University at Kent, OH
$57,169
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations(bachelors)Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, PA
$56,794

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