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.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
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
Educational requirements vary for sales representatives and depend on the type of products sold. If the products are not scientific or technical, a high school diploma is generally sufficient for entry into the occupation. If the products are scientific or technical, sales representatives typically need at least a bachelor's degree. PayThe median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products was $72,080 in May 2025.The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products was $104,920 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 123,400 openings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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 sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products was $72,080 in May 2025.The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products was $104,920 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 123,400 openings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 123,400 openings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations.
Work Environment
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives work under pressure because their income and job security depend on the amount of merchandise they sell. Some sales representatives travel frequently.
How to Become a Wholesale or Manufacturing Sales Representative
Educational requirements vary for sales representatives and depend on the type of products sold. If the products are not scientific or technical, a high school diploma is generally sufficient for entry into the occupation. If the products are scientific or technical, sales representatives typically need at least a bachelor's degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products was $72,080 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products was $104,920 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 123,400 openings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives work under pressure because their income and job security depend on the amount of merchandise they sell. Some sales representatives travel frequently.
How to Become a Wholesale or Manufacturing Sales Representative
Educational requirements vary for sales representatives and depend on the type of products sold. If the products are not scientific or technical, a high school diploma is generally sufficient for entry into the occupation. If the products are scientific or technical, sales representatives typically need at least a bachelor's degree.
Pay
The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products was $72,080 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products was $104,920 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 123,400 openings for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
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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.