Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Sales representatives for technical and scientific products sell specialized goods like laboratory equipment, electronics, or engineering materials to businesses and wholesalers. They work for manufacturers or wholesale distributors, applying knowledge of biology, chemistry, engineering, or electronics to match products with customer needs. Most are based in offices or travel to client locations.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves identifying potential customers, preparing product demonstrations, and explaining technical specifications to engineers or procurement managers. Representatives may visit client facilities to assess needs, respond to technical questions via email or phone, and negotiate contracts. They track sales data, manage customer accounts, and coordinate with internal teams to ensure orders meet delivery deadlines and specifications.
Who this work suits
Holland code ECI. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely excel in this role if you enjoy problem-solving and building business relationships—the enterprising interest. You're also detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, reflecting conventional interests. You combine technical understanding with sales ability, translating complex products into clear customer solutions.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a certificate or training program.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Sales Development Representative · BrightHire · United States · Remote
- Senior Sales Development Representative - German Speaking (Remote) · Vendavo · Düsseldorf, DE
- Digital Sales Representative - Activate · Twilio · USA · Remote
- Sales Representative - Uniform · Cintas · Pittsburg, Contra Costa County · $36,403–$36,403
- Activation Sales Development Representative I · Instacart · USA · Remote
- Rep Exec Sales Account MSD · Solventum · United States · Remote
- Field Sales Development Representative · Roofr · USA · Remote
- Sales Development Representative · mPulse Mobile · United States · Remote
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $103,140 | $135,000 | $172,070 | 4,150 |
| New Jersey | $98,770 | $131,360 | $174,890 | 5,600 |
| Kansas | $89,990 | $130,850 | $166,460 | 2,440 |
| New York | $89,430 | $129,410 | $166,340 | 10,500 |
| Georgia | $75,730 | $128,850 | $165,650 | 5,700 |
| Virginia | $92,260 | $128,270 | $161,030 | 6,060 |
| Washington | $80,670 | $127,390 | $168,600 | 9,960 |
| Hawaii | $84,370 | $126,110 | $158,480 | 540 |
| Michigan | $81,270 | $125,650 | $157,690 | 9,140 |
| North Carolina | $77,590 | $125,370 | $167,430 | 11,990 |
| California | $80,300 | $124,220 | $164,170 | 27,590 |
| Louisiana | $77,490 | $124,200 | $157,840 | 2,340 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Welding Sales Representative (CWSR) — American Welding Society
- PV Technical Sales Certification (PVTS) — North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
- Professional Certification in Advanced Service and Sales — National Retail Federation Foundation
- Certified Sales Professional (CSP) — National Ground Water Association
- Certified Machine Tool Sales Engineer (CMTSE) — AMT - The Association for Manufacturing Technology
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
and 6 more
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 41-4011.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.