Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Sales Engineer Successful sales engineers will have a combination of technical knowledge of the products they are selling and strong interpersonal skills. To enter the occupation, sales engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree. They combine technical knowledge of the products or services they sell with strong interpersonal skills.
Education
Sales engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field, such as business. However, candidates who do not have a degree sometimes meet qualifications if they have sales experience and technical experience or
Training
. College engineering programs generally include courses in mathematics and the physical sciences. Taking other courses, such as marketing and communications, also may be helpful. College students may have an opportunity to participate in cooperative education programs or internships. Through partnership with local businesses, these programs allow students to gain practical experience while they complete their education. Training Newly hired sales engineers typically need on-the-job training before they work independently. Training covers general sales techniques and specific details about the product. Sales training may involve teaming with a sales mentor who is familiar with the employer's business practices, customers, and products. Training also may include partnering with an experienced salesperson to observe customer interaction and sales technique. Other Experience Some employers prefer to hire candidates who have experience in sales or in a related technical field, such as engineering or information technology. For example, sales engineers who sell software may have worked previously as a software developer or computer systems analyst. Advancement Promotions for sales engineers may include opportunities such as earning a higher commission rate, assignment of a larger sales territory, or elevation to a position as a supervisor or sales manager.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of sales engineers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 3,800 openings for sales engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Sales engineers are expected to be in demand to help promote an increasing number of technologically sophisticated products and services. Employment growth is likely to be strong for sales engineers selling computer software and hardware. Strong industry growth is expected in computer systems design and related services, contributing to employment growth in the occupation. However, as businesses increasingly integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into workflows, some sales engineer tasks, such as conducting market research, may become more efficient. Employment growth for these workers may be limited by advances in technology, including AI. Sales Engineers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Sales engineers 3% Total, all occupations 3% Other sales and related workers -1% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Sales Engineers Do
Sales engineers sell business products or services, such as software or support, that require technical expertise.
Duties
Sales engineers typically do the following:
- Prepare and deliver presentations explaining technical products to existing and prospective customers
- Talk with customers, the sales team, and engineers to determine product needs and system requirements
- Provide customers with product sales support
- Work with sales teams to secure and renew orders
- Arrange for installation of products and delivery of services
- Plan and modify products or services to meet customer needs
- Provide support to help customers troubleshoot problems
- Recommend improved products or services to customers, showing how changes will lower costs or increase production
Sales engineers use their technical skills to explain scientific and technological products to potential customers. Many of their duties are similar to those of other salespersons. They must interest the customer in buying their products, such as by giving a presentation to explain the technical aspects of a product and how it will solve a specific customer problem. They then negotiate a price and complete the sale.
Sales engineers also use their expertise to provide technical support or other services to customers. They may offer services as part of the product purchase or as a separate benefit. For example, sales engineers may offer technical support on the use, operation, or maintenance of equipment.
Some sales engineers team with other salespersons, including wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, who focus on marketing and selling a product. This approach lets sales engineer concentrate on the technical aspects of the product as needed, such as for tailoring equipment to a customer’s needs.
Sales engineers may have other tasks related to sales, such as market research. They also may ask for technical requirements from customers and modify products or services to meet those needs. Some sales engineers work with research and development (R&D) departments to help identify and develop new products.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Sales engineers held about 51,600 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of sales engineers were as follows:
| Merchant wholesalers, durable goods | 22% |
| Manufacturing | 21 |
| Computer systems design and related services | 18 |
| Software publishers | 6 |
| Wholesale trade agents and brokers | 5 |
Sales engineers typically work in an office setting. Some sales engineers travel extensively, which may require being away from home for several days each month.
Sales engineers’ work may be stressful because their income and job security often depend on their success in sales and customer service.
Work Schedules
Most sales engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Sales engineers must be able to evaluate the products they sell to determine how they suit their customers’ needs. Business skills. Sales engineers should understand their customers to market products and customize services for them. Initiative. Sales engineers need to actively seek out new customers or offer additional products and services to existing customers to increase business. Interpersonal skills. Sales engineers must be able to build relationships with customers and communicate effectively with other members of the sales team. Organizational skills. Sales engineers must have strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and customers. Persuasion. Sales engineers must be able to convince their customers about the benefits of the product or service they are selling.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about sales engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.