Aptly
Careers · Sales

Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers

Door-to-door sales workers and street vendors sell goods or services directly to customers by approaching them in their homes, on streets, or in public spaces. Work locations vary widely—residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, transit stations, and event venues. Sales may include subscriptions, products, services, or charitable donations.

$41,380median pay, U.S., per year
$36,470–$47,390middle half earn
2,760employed in the U.S.
No formal education requirementtypical education
HighAI exposure · AI tools can speed up many tasks. Skills in using them will matter, and some roles may change.
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A day in the work

A typical week involves planning sales routes, traveling to assigned areas, and making direct pitches to potential customers. Workers handle customer objections, process transactions, and document sales. Time is split between walking or driving to locations, talking with prospects, and managing paperwork or digital records. Evening and weekend work is common. Success depends on persistence through frequent rejections and building rapport quickly with strangers.

Who this work suits

Enterprising
75Conventional
62Realistic
43Social
30Artistic
17Investigative
0

Holland code ECR. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.

You do well in this work if you're driven by competition and results, enjoy persuading others, and stay organized under pressure. You thrive in enterprising roles where income and advancement tie directly to your effort, and you appreciate the conventional structure of clear sales targets and performance metrics.

What it takes

Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold no formal education requirement.

Skills that matter most

SpeakingPersuasionSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationActive ListeningCoordinationNegotiationReading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingEnglish LanguageAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementEducation and Training

Pay by state

State25th pctMedian75th pctEmployed
Missouri$46,040$46,380$82,270—
Texas$35,670$46,040$59,030160
New Jersey$36,730$44,370$44,370—
Indiana$25,980$39,870$44,100200
California$35,090$39,520$46,050560
Utah$37,770$38,990$38,99090
Colorado$35,990$38,590$45,380—
Connecticut$37,210$37,440$39,520—
North Carolina$37,370$37,370$39,830140
Michigan$35,520$36,700$36,720—
Ohio$35,400$36,210$37,50060
Maryland$32,180$34,290$36,470—
All 14 states

Training

Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.

Job titles in this occupation

Related occupations

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 41-9091.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.