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Sales Representatives, Services

Sales representatives in the services sector sell products and services to businesses, organizations, and individual customers across diverse industries including manufacturing, wholesale, and emerging markets like solar energy. These professionals evaluate customer needs, negotiate pricing and contract terms, and provide detailed product information to help clients make informed purchasing decisions. They typically work in the field visiting client sites, though some positions may involve office-based sales activities and customer relationship management.

Median Annual Pay
$76,742
Range: $37,240 - $193,470
Training Time
4-5 years
AI Resilience
🟠In Transition
Education
Bachelor's degree

🎬Career Video

🤖AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: high AI task exposure indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

54% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+2% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Moderate+1

EPOCH score: 16/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

📋Key Responsibilities

  • Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
  • Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.
  • Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.
  • Maintain customer records, using automated systems.
  • Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.
  • Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.
  • Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.
  • Emphasize product features, based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.

💡Inside This Career

Sales representatives in the services sector spend their days building relationships and solving problems for clients across diverse industries. A typical day might begin with reviewing client accounts and market data, followed by phone calls to prospects or existing customers to discuss their needs and challenges. Much of their time is spent conducting site visits, whether that's touring a manufacturing facility to assess equipment needs, meeting with business owners to evaluate service requirements, or consulting with clients on complex technical solutions. These professionals often travel within their territory, moving between client locations, trade shows, or company offices.

The work involves a blend of analytical thinking and interpersonal skills as representatives prepare detailed proposals, conduct product demonstrations, and negotiate contracts. They collaborate closely with internal teams—working with engineers on technical specifications, coordinating with logistics on delivery timelines, or partnering with customer service to ensure client satisfaction. Much of their success depends on understanding both their products and their clients' industries deeply enough to identify opportunities and present compelling solutions.

Documentation and follow-up activities round out their responsibilities, including updating customer relationship management systems, preparing sales reports, and maintaining ongoing communication with prospects through various stages of the sales cycle. Representatives often attend industry conferences, participate in training sessions on new products or services, and engage in continuous learning to stay current with market trends and competitive landscapes. The role requires adaptability, as each client interaction presents unique challenges and opportunities that demand customized approaches and solutions.

📈Career Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$37,240
$33,516 - $40,964
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$53,041
$47,737 - $58,345
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$76,742
$69,068 - $84,416
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$135,106
$121,595 - $148,617
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$193,470
$174,123 - $212,817

📚Education & Training

Requirements

  • Entry Education: Bachelor's degree
  • Experience: Several years
  • On-the-job Training: Several years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
4-5 years (typically 4)
Estimated Education Cost
$46,440 - $173,400
Public (in-state):$46,440
Public (out-of-state):$96,120
Private nonprofit:$173,400
Source: college board (2024)
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💻Technology Skills

Act!ActionWareAdTrack Customer Acquisition Management CAMAmazon Web Services AWS softwareAMG Teleran SalesInSyncApache HadoopCegedim Target Software Target SFA Pharmaceutical SuiteCitrix cloud computing softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareEnterprise application integration EAI softwareFileMaker ProGoogle AdsGoogle AnalyticsGoogle Workspace softwareHEAT Software GoldMine

Key Abilities

Oral Expression
Oral Comprehension
Speech Recognition
Speech Clarity
Written Comprehension
Written Expression
Deductive Reasoning
Near Vision
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Sensitivity

🏷️Also Known As

Sales Representatives, ServicesAbrasives Sales RepresentativeAgricultural Sales RepresentativeAircraft Equipment and Parts Sales RepresentativeAircraft Sales RepresentativeAnimal Feed Products Sales RepresentativeAuto Sales Consultant (Automotive Sales Consultant)Building Equipment and Supplies Sales RepresentativeChemical and Pharmaceutical Sales RepresentativeChemical Sales Representative+20 more

📑Specializations

This career includes 3 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

🔗Related Careers

Other careers in sales

🔗Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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