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Tech Products Sales Reps Job Overview

Tech product sales reps are responsible for advertising their merchandise to purchasing agents and wholesale and retail buyers. They usually give a demo presentation of their wares and explain the benefits of using the product. They also answer the queries of prospective buyers about the product.

Tech Products Sales Reps Schools and Degrees

Tech product sales reps typically need a bachelor’s degree because they sell highly technical and complex products. An education in these areas increases the sales reps chances of selling the product. An MBA is also desirable as it gives a deeper insight into the dynamics of sales.

Job Requirements

Tech product sales reps often need to attend seminars to learn about the various sales techniques. Taking courses on economics, marketing and communication can also be of great help in this profession. For up to two tears after joining, organizations usually provide formal training to sales reps. On-the-job training under the supervision of an experienced person can prove to be beneficial.

Certification helps tech product sales reps advance their careers. Most of these certifications require you to pass an examination after completing formal training.

Tech product sales reps need to have the desire and the personality to sell. They need to be goal oriented and aggressive while pursuing their sales targets. Excellent communication skills and interpersonal relation management abilities also come in handy for a tech produc sales rep. A pleasing appearance and an attractive personality is always an added advantage. Most importantly, tech product sales reps need to have a thorough understanding of the technical product they sell so they can convince their prospective buyers.

Nature of Work

Tech products include a whole range of products from electrical and electronic goods to agricultural and mechanical instruments and pharmaceutical products. The tech product sales rep usually makes the initial contact with customers and gives an introduction to the product. The sale may be closed at this point. Later, the tech product sales rep makes follow-up visits to check if the product is working to the satisfaction of the customer. They may also assist customers in the installation, use and maintenance of the product.

Tech product sales reps generally have a large sales territory to cover and are required to travel a lot. As the sales areas may encompass several states, they may have to be on tour for several days in a month. When not travelling, they are usually required to work for about forty hours a week.

Tech Products Sales Reps Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, tech product sales reps held about 411,000 jobs in the US. This figure is projected to grow by twelve percent in the next ten years. The median annual earnings of tech product sales reps is around $64,440.

Job Numbers and Growth

About 411,000 tech products sales reps can be found working in the US. A very low unemployment level has been the case recently. Employees without jobs were about 3%.

Area Job Conditions

Finding tech products sales reps is easiest in Framingham (Massachusetts), Nashua (New Hampshire), and Lowell (Massachusetts), and by comparison more challenging in Tuscaloosa (Alabama), Waco (Texas), and Elkhart (Indiana).

The pay is best in Taunton (Massachusetts), Wenatchee (Washington), and Ogden (Utah) and worst in Missoula (Montana), Rome (Georgia), and Santa Fe (New Mexico).

Training and Education

You'll generally want work experience in a related occupation for this career path. Of current tech products sales reps, 51% graduated from college with degrees. Some 28% of workers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 21% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Tech products sales reps working part-time accounted for 7% of those employed in 2008. Self-employed workers represent an estimated 4% of the total.

Tech Products Sales Reps by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Birmingham	$75,000	1,440	-2%
Dothan	$52,000	30	-81%
Huntsville	$87,000	490	-19%
Mobile	$86,000	350	-31%
Montgomery	$67,000	90	-81%
Tuscaloosa	$98,000	110	-56%

Alaska

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Anchorage	$83,000	370	-23%

Arizona

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Flagstaff	$65,000	30	-80%
Phoenix	$81,000	7,660	+44%
Prescott		100	-30%
Tucson	$68,000	640	-37%

Arkansas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Fort Smith	$53,000	220	-37%
Jonesboro		60	-51%
Little Rock	$75,000	790	-23%

California

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bakersfield	$82,000	280	-63%
Fresno	$72,000	500	-47%
Hanford	$74,000	40	-53%
Los Angeles	$82,000	9,510	-22%
Modesto	$99,000	180	-60%
Napa	$87,000	100	-41%
Oakland	$92,000	3,750	+25%
Oxnard	$73,000	960	+9%
Redding	$75,000	60	-63%
Riverside	$73,000	2,040	-44%
Sacramento	$103,000	1,450	-44%
Salinas	$82,000	170	-63%
San Diego	$83,000	4,170	+6%
San Francisco	$104,000	3,240	+8%
San Jose	$101,000	5,960	+121%
San Luis Obispo	$82,000	150	-42%
Santa Ana	$86,000	8,450	+93%
Santa Barbara	$93,000	340	-30%
Santa Cruz	$82,000	100	-58%
Santa Rosa	$83,000	280	-44%
Stockton	$70,000	340	-44%
Vallejo	$76,000	180	-47%
Visalia	$96,000	240	-37%
Yuba City	$99,000	30	-69%

Colorado

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Boulder	$111,000	1,090	+148%
Colorado Springs	$77,000	570	-23%
Denver	$76,000	5,450	+45%
Fort Collins	$73,000	140	-61%
Grand Junction	$71,000	30	-80%
Greeley	$72,000	110	-44%

Connecticut

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bridgeport	$94,000	1,600	+26%
Danbury	$83,000	380	+106%
Hartford	$90,000	1,840	+7%
New Haven	$74,000	1,740	+117%
Norwich	$58,000	280	-19%
Waterbury	$107,000	150	-18%

Delaware

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Wilmington	$85,000	1,390	+44%

District of Columbia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Washington	$98,000	4,670	-36%

Florida

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cape Coral	$122,000	450	-20%
Deltona	$77,000	280	-36%
Fort Lauderdale	$79,000	3,330	+59%
Fort Walton Beach	$91,000	210	+1%
Gainesville	$98,000	290	-16%
Jacksonville	$84,000	2,020	+12%
Lakeland	$85,000	550	+0%
Miami	$79,000	6,070	+106%
Naples	$93,000	350	+11%
Ocala	$85,000	280	+15%
Orlando	$88,000	3,690	+21%
Palm Bay	$74,000	880	+53%
Panama City	$73,000	130	-30%
Pensacola	$101,000	410	-4%
Port St Lucie	$91,000	260	-23%
Punta Gorda	$104,000	50	-50%
Sarasota	$109,000	580	-20%
Sebastian	$82,000	110	-11%
Tallahassee	$75,000	310	-33%
Tampa	$80,000	5,620	+63%
West Palm Beach	$98,000	2,470	+59%

Georgia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Albany	$63,000	60	-64%
Athens	$56,000	80	-59%
Atlanta	$82,000	10,450	+50%
Augusta	$60,000	140	-77%
Columbus	$56,000	100	-68%
Gainesville	$56,000	80	-58%
Macon	$57,000	110	-56%
Rome	$37,000	80	-10%
Savannah	$70,000	140	-67%
Valdosta	$65,000	60	-54%
Warner Robins	$95,000	60	-58%

Hawaii

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Honolulu	$56,000	440	-66%

Idaho

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Boise	$76,000	1,110	+44%
Coeur Dalene	$66,000	180	+35%

Illinois

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bloomington	$85,000	150	-21%
Champaign	$70,000	190	-34%
Chicago	$74,000	12,750	+12%
Danville	$75,000	50	-26%
Decatur	$66,000	70	-41%
Kankakee	$58,000	80	-24%
Peoria	$56,000	220	-55%
Rockford	$90,000	140	-65%
Springfield	$82,000	210	-31%

Indiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Anderson	$60,000	40	-59%
Bloomington	$80,000	90	-52%
Elkhart	$69,000	110	-64%
Evansville	$74,000	300	-39%
Fort Wayne	$81,000	420	-29%
Gary	$89,000	270	-66%
Indianapolis	$83,000	3,600	+34%
Kokomo	$78,000	50	-50%
Lafayette	$60,000	80	-61%
Muncie	$64,000	40	-66%
South Bend	$72,000	400	+9%
Terre Haute	$77,000	80	-57%

Iowa

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Ames	$96,000	60	-37%
Cedar Rapids	$77,000	490	+23%
Davenport	$62,000	370	-32%
Des Moines	$116,000	800	-18%
Dubuque	$62,000	50	-65%
Iowa City	$70,000	130	-32%
Sioux City	$85,000	150	-24%
Waterloo	$89,000	220	-7%

Kansas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Lawrence	$110,000	70	-38%
Manhattan	$49,000	50	-64%
Topeka	$70,000	130	-58%
Wichita	$76,000	910	+7%

Kentucky

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bowling Green	$56,000	90	-39%
Elizabethtown	$62,000	30	-74%
Lexington	$99,000	920	+30%
Louisville	$78,000	2,450	+35%
Owensboro	$99,000	100	-19%

Louisiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baton Rouge	$58,000	730	-34%
Houma	$71,000	140	-47%
Lafayette	$69,000	390	-5%
Lake Charles	$49,000	190	-22%
Monroe	$43,000	90	-57%
New Orleans	$65,000	1,520	-4%
Shreveport	$85,000	360	-31%

Maine

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Lewiston	$73,000	40	-70%
Portland	$66,000	480	-18%

Maryland

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baltimore	$84,000	2,730	-31%
Bethesda	$95,000	1,360	-22%
Hagerstown	$67,000	40	-85%
Salisbury	$82,000	30	-79%

Massachusetts

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Barnstable Town	$91,000	240	-14%
Boston	$100,000	9,130	+74%
Brockton	$86,000	170	-32%
Framingham	$95,000	1,680	+257%
Haverhill	$95,000	370	+64%
Lawrence	$105,000	230	+44%
Leominster	$85,000	180	+39%
Lowell	$91,000	1,180	+247%
New Bedford	$66,000	40	-77%
Peabody	$67,000	270	-5%
Springfield	$80,000	480	-45%
Taunton	$111,000	90	-23%
Worcester	$83,000	860	+16%

Michigan

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Ann Arbor	$80,000	1,060	+119%
Battle Creek	$111,000	140	+2%
Bay City	$68,000	40	-51%
Detroit	$77,000	1,780	-11%
Flint	$103,000	130	-65%
Grand Rapids	$73,000	670	-40%
Holland	$93,000	230	-14%
Jackson	$68,000	40	-69%
Lansing	$70,000	350	-39%
Muskegon	$51,000	130	-13%
Saginaw	$80,000	90	-60%
Warren	$94,000	5,990	+84%

Minnesota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Duluth	$86,000	60	-84%
Mankato	$61,000	60	-60%
Minneapolis	$94,000	6,050	+12%
Rochester	$101,000	160	-44%

Mississippi

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Gulfport	$74,000	50	-83%
Jackson	$73,000	140	-81%

Missouri

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cape Girardeau	$89,000	70	-40%
Columbia	$56,000	40	-82%
Jefferson City	$88,000	60	-70%
Joplin	$60,000	80	-63%
Kansas City	$82,000	3,880	+27%
Springfield	$68,000	390	-30%
St Louis	$77,000	3,780	-6%

Montana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Billings	$58,000	270	+16%
Missoula	$54,000	70	-49%

Nebraska

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Lincoln	$75,000	310	-33%
Omaha	$85,000	1,200	-15%

Nevada

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Las Vegas	$105,000	610	-76%
Reno	$100,000	470	-15%

New Hampshire

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Manchester	$94,000	630	+117%
Nashua	$112,000	1,600	+308%
Portsmouth	$91,000	400	+160%
Rochester	$89,000	190	+34%

New Jersey

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Atlantic City	$76,000	80	-81%
Camden	$95,000	1,200	-24%
Edison	$111,000	3,670	+19%
Newark	$102,000	2,700	-10%
Trenton	$112,000	180	-73%
Vineland	$80,000	50	-69%

New Mexico

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Albuquerque	$81,000	980	-15%
Farmington	$59,000	80	-39%
Las Cruces	$54,000	60	-65%

New York

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Albany	$90,000	790	-41%
Binghamton	$72,000	100	-69%
Buffalo	$73,000	750	-55%
Ithaca	$88,000	30	-72%
Nassau	$88,000	2,680	-30%
New York	$104,000	7,410	-53%
Poughkeepsie	$109,000	240	-67%
Rochester	$88,000	1,140	-25%
Syracuse	$98,000	560	-40%
Utica	$86,000	90	-75%

North Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Asheville	$56,000	280	-45%
Burlington	$57,000	110	-27%
Charlotte	$79,000	3,600	+40%
Durham	$93,000	2,220	+173%
Fayetteville	$67,000	90	-75%
Greensboro	$67,000	1,100	+4%
Greenville	$54,000	60	-67%
Hickory	$49,000	170	-60%
Raleigh	$70,000	3,310	+114%
Rocky Mount	$50,000	40	-74%
Wilmington	$62,000	270	-31%

North Dakota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bismarck	$104,000	70	-60%

Ohio

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Akron	$78,000	1,880	+97%
Canton	$57,000	360	-25%
Cincinnati	$84,000	4,540	+48%
Cleveland	$73,000	5,320	+72%
Columbus	$79,000	4,270	+54%
Dayton	$71,000	1,330	+17%
Lima	$53,000	80	-42%
Mansfield	$62,000	210	+53%
Sandusky	$58,000	90	+2%
Springfield	$65,000	60	-52%
Steubenville	$58,000	50	-53%
Toledo	$69,000	1,050	+21%
Youngstown	$79,000	830	+25%

Oklahoma

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Oklahoma City	$60,000	2,540	+47%
Tulsa	$71,000	1,790	+39%

Oregon

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bend	$105,000	120	-29%
Corvallis	$84,000	90	+35%
Eugene	$54,000	430	+7%
Medford	$94,000	100	-53%
Portland	$105,000	4,130	+34%
Salem	$72,000	170	-60%

Pennsylvania

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Allentown	$81,000	490	-52%
Altoona	$75,000	220	+35%
Erie	$67,000	130	-64%
Harrisburg	$91,000	730	-23%
Lancaster	$78,000	530	-23%
Philadelphia	$92,000	7,430	+29%
Pittsburgh	$88,000	2,340	-32%
Reading	$89,000	300	-38%
Scranton	$77,000	170	-78%
State College	$71,000	80	-53%
Williamsport	$36,000	40	-71%
York	$75,000	200	-61%

Rhode Island

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Providence	$79,000	1,190	-29%

South Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Anderson	$89,000	30	-80%
Charleston	$74,000	400	-53%
Columbia	$66,000	510	-51%
Florence	$69,000	70	-68%
Greenville	$67,000	1,120	+26%
Myrtle Beach	$64,000	50	-84%
Spartanburg	$62,000	300	-8%
Sumter	$58,000	60	-27%

South Dakota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Rapid City	$133,000	120	-30%
Sioux Falls	$102,000	550	+38%

Tennessee

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chattanooga	$75,000	460	-31%
Clarksville	$60,000	90	-58%
Cleveland	$72,000	50	-42%
Jackson	$69,000	140	-11%
Johnson City	$96,000	90	-54%
Kingsport	$87,000	800	+132%
Knoxville	$68,000	1,240	+25%
Memphis	$91,000	1,880	+1%
Morristown	$84,000	140	+17%
Nashville	$62,000	3,870	+74%

Texas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Abilene	$75,000	80	-53%
Amarillo	$70,000	140	-53%
Austin	$69,000	5,850	+147%
Beaumont	$83,000	290	-38%
Brownsville	$43,000	50	-87%
College Station	$77,000	100	-61%
Corpus Christi	$77,000	100	-81%
Dallas	$106,000	9,550	+51%
El Paso	$63,000	340	-58%
Fort Worth	$97,000	1,710	-34%
Houston	$80,000	7,900	-1%
Longview	$70,000	110	-59%
Lubbock	$57,000	300	-16%
Mcallen	$60,000	150	-78%
Midland	$63,000	180	+6%
Odessa	$68,000	290	+92%
San Angelo	$73,000	40	-63%
San Antonio	$80,000	1,430	-46%
Texarkana	$63,000	60	-58%
Tyler	$79,000	130	-48%
Victoria	$68,000	50	-60%
Waco	$69,000	60	-79%

Utah

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Logan	$82,000	50	-60%
Ogden	$58,000	390	-33%
Provo	$66,000	860	+75%
Salt Lake City	$79,000	3,520	+93%
St George	$61,000	60	-50%

Vermont

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Burlington	$69,000	260	-18%

Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charlottesville	$79,000	130	-46%
Danville	$49,000	30	-66%
Harrisonburg	$55,000	90	-40%
Lynchburg	$77,000	110	-60%
Richmond	$85,000	1,430	-23%
Roanoke	$70,000	250	-44%
Virginia Beach	$80,000	760	-67%
Winchester	$85,000	100	-24%

Washington

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bellingham	$61,000	140	-30%
Bremerton	$77,000	50	-78%
Kennewick	$57,000	120	-57%
Olympia	$68,000	70	-75%
Seattle	$96,000	6,780	+60%
Spokane	$64,000	380	-36%
Tacoma	$69,000	390	-50%
Wenatchee	$98,000	40	-60%
Yakima	$83,000	50	-78%

West Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Charleston	$67,000	240	-43%
Huntington	$69,000	110	-66%
Parkersburg	$57,000	60	-68%
Wheeling	$76,000	80	-54%

Wisconsin

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Appleton	$78,000	170	-48%
Eau Claire	$85,000	60	-70%
Green Bay	$76,000	210	-57%
Janesville	$94,000	30	-82%
Madison	$76,000	1,070	+6%
Milwaukee	$103,000	2,410	-4%
Oshkosh	$81,000	310	+27%
Racine	$59,000	80	-61%
Sheboygan	$65,000	40	-73%
Wausau	$78,000	90	-50%

Wyoming

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Casper	$74,000	130	+41%
Cheyenne	$111,000	50	-54%