Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

The short answer

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.

The measurable national baseline is $100,070 median annual pay, 1.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034, and 27,200 projected openings per year. Use these figures as a national benchmark rather than a personal forecast; location, experience, employer, specialty, credentials, and hours can change individual outcomes.

Pay and the size of the opportunity

The national median-pay figure for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products is $100,070. Current employment is 303,200, with projected 2034 employment of 308,900. Pay describes the middle worker nationally, not a guaranteed starting salary, and the employment totals describe the occupation's scale rather than the number of jobs available to one applicant.

Demand, growth, and annual openings

BLS projects 1.9% employment growth for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products from 2024 to 2034 and about 27,200 openings per year. Growth measures whether the occupation is expanding, while annual openings also include replacement needs created when workers retire, change occupations, or leave the labor force.

Education and preparation

The typical BLS entry-education category is Bachelor's degree. Related work experience is None, and the listed on-the-job training category is Moderate-term on-the-job training. These categories summarize a national pathway; licensing, certification, portfolios, apprenticeships, or local employer requirements may add to it.

What the work involves

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.

A representative O*NET task is: Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements. The broader activity profile emphasizes Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships, Getting Information, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates.

Skills, knowledge, and tools

The strongest available O*NET skill signals are Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension. Leading knowledge areas are Customer and Personal Service, Sales and Marketing, English Language. These are national occupational signals, so a specific employer may emphasize a different mix. Examples of software or tools associated with the occupation include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Salesforce software, Microsoft Outlook.

Common questions

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.