Outside Sales Representative Salary

Are you an ambitious and outgoing individual who loves working with people? Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for sales? Then you may be the perfect candidate for a job as an outside sales representative!

Outside sales reps are the driving force behind business growth and success. Our clients are looking for talented individuals like you to add to their team. We know the process can be daunting, so we compiled a downloadable guide to take your interviewing skills to the next level.

THE NCW TEAM IS HERE TO HELP

NCW Interview Packet Preview

Get the edge you need to ace your next interview directly from the source.

Download Our Free Interview Packet!

First name
Last name

What’s Inside?

Discover our comprehensive interview guide packed with valuable tips and insights to help you navigate every stage of the interview process with confidence. From dressing for success to mastering phone and video interviews, negotiating job offers/salary, and handling resignations, our guide covers it all. Download our interview guide and unlock the secrets to interview success in one convenient package.

SNEAK PEEK

Learn the art of post-interview etiquette and how to craft a compelling follow-up message.

Arm yourself with the skills to negotiate job offers, benefits, and other terms to secure the best possible outcome.

Use our free templates for crafting professional resignation letters.

Get a head start with valuable insights and quick strategies to boost your interview performance.

Outside Sales Representative Salary

Outside sales representatives is a growing field across all industries in the United States. You may ask, what is outside sales? Outside sales, also called field sales, travel to meet with customers. Outside sales provide current and prospective customers with a personalized sales experience. In-person meetings and face-to-face interactions allow field reps to give detailed product demonstrations and create more personal relationships with potential clients. Alongside it, however, comes the complexity of a long sales cycle. Sales representatives are responsible for selling goods and services to other businesses, referred to as B2B, or consumers as B2C.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates outside sales representatives’ salary averages at around $62,000 a year, but this is entirely dependent on what industry you work in and how much of your compensation is based on commission. Normally, sales representatives have a base salary and receive additional compensation based on sales revenue. This also differs from industry to industry and the company you are employed by.

There are tons of sales representative jobs throughout the United States. You may search for “outside sales representative jobs near me,” but the good news is that NCW is partnered with some of the top companies in the industry who are always looking to add talented sales professionals to their teams. NCW’s expert recruiters can help. The business development staffing experts of NCW will help you take a step forward in your career. Whether you want to earn more, work for a more dynamic industry or advance into management, our team will help you achieve your definition of success. We have helped talented people like you find their ideal roles for over two decades. We have the connections and long-standing relationships you want in a recruiter and provide the service and experience you expect.

Outside Sales Salary Plus Commission

As you now know, starting as an outside sales representative is a great place to start if you plan to have a career in sales. You may search for “sales representative salary,” “outside sales salary plus commission,” or “outside sales commission,” but it is important to note that salaries differ across industries and companies. The best advice we can get you is to connect with a recruiter that may be able to align you with the highest potential paying job in sales. If you do not believe us, here is a testimonial from one candidate we align with a great career: “I was about 4 weeks into my job search and had some good leads, but nothing that stood out. I got a call from Larry, and he had me set up an interview the next day! I was not only practically hired on the spot, but it is for a great company and benefits one can only dream for.”

We have experience working with candidates from all walks of life and across various industries throughout the United States. At NCW, our recruiters understand how challenging a job search can be. We understand that the job search is time-consuming and can be difficult to evaluate an opportunity effectively. How do you know if a job or an employer is truly right for you? NCW is a job placement agency that helps talented professionals uncover opportunities that are right for them.

Check Out Our Job Opportunities!

Outside Sales Representative Job Description

To get more specific about outside sales representatives, there are important things to know about the job before you get into a career in outside sales. A commonly asked question is, what is an outside sales representative? An outside sales representative conducts sales in the field via face-to-face interactions with potential and existing customers. They are responsible for offering the best possible customer experience and providing hands-on explanations of new or updated products when necessary. There are many other outside sales representative qualifications you should consider before a career in sales. You do not need to have a bachelor’s degree. Still, it will help your chances over candidates who do not have one, and there is also additional training you can take to be better prepared if you are entering the workforce as a sales representative. We included outside sales representative skills and sales representatives’ typical responsibilities below.

Key Characteristics of an Outside Sales Representative:

  • Strong Interpersonal Skills
  • Self-Starter
  • Detail Oriented
  •  Independent
  • Team Focused

Key Characteristics of an Outside Sales Representative:

  • Travel within sales territory to meet prospects and customers
  • Conduct calls and face-to-face meetings with customers daily
  • Build and maintain relationships with new and repeat customers
  • Maintain records of all sales leads and/or customer accounts
  • Educate customers on how products or services can benefit them financially
  • Sell the company’s products or services to customers within your given territory

Outside Sales Representative Jobs

Overall employment in sales occupations is projected to show little or no change from 2021 to 2031; this limited change is expected to decrease about 164,500 jobs over the decade. Nonetheless, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. On average, about 1.9 million openings yearly are projected to come from replacement needs. Our workforce is also getting a lot older, with many people retiring in sales who have had a long tenure. Which means there are tons of open outside sales representative jobs. If you are constantly searching for a new job in sales and searching “outside sales jobs near me” or “entry level sales jobs” for our recent college graduates, it would be wise to connect with a recruiter.

Even if you aren’t certain that connecting with a recruiter is right for you, it will take your job search to the next level. There are many jobs on the market that companies aren’t recruiting for outwardly, meaning recruiters may know of positions available that you may not know about. At NCW, we partner with talented leaders and professionals looking to advance their careers. Our recruitment process starts with you. Every search is unique, and our professional services recruiters want to establish a deep understanding of your motivations, goals, and the things you would find compelling in a new role. We work with your best interests in mind, acting as an advocate and a bridge between you and new opportunities to advance your career.

We’re Hiring!

We Think You Have What It Takes To Be A Outside Sales Representative… Do You?

As an integral piece of several industries, outside sales representatives are needed by top general contractors nationwide. NCW partners with top clients to help fill their open roles. Thinking about making the next jump in your career? Talk to the NCW team today!

Outside Sales Representative Base Salary

To get more specific about outside sales representatives, there are important things to know about the job before you get into a career in outside sales. A commonly asked question is, what is an outside sales representative? An outside sales representative conducts sales in the field via face-to-face interactions with potential and existing customers. They are responsible for offering the best possible customer experience and providing hands-on explanations of new or updated products when necessary. There are many other outside sales representative qualifications you should consider before a career in sales. You do not need to have a bachelor’s degree. Still, it will help your chances over candidates who do not have one, and there is also additional training you can take to be better prepared if you are entering the workforce as a sales representative. We included outside sales representative skills and sales representatives’ typical responsibilities below.

• Oral Comprehension – The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Recognition – The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Speech Clarity – The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Written Comprehension – The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Written Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Inside Sales Representative Salary

We have spent a lot of time discussing outside sales, but it is important to consider other options like inside sales. Inside sales are based on leveraging technology to connect with and acquire new customers without requiring either party to travel. Today, many inside sales teams use a variety of technologies and communication channels, including:

• Phone calls
• Email
• Video conferencing
• CRM tools (e.g., Customer Relationship Management)
• Social media

It’s worth reiterating that the product, pricing strategy, and company stage will often dictate which channels you use to reach your target customers. Inside sales teams, in the past, focused on a single strategy, such as cold calling or email marketing. But today, it’s far more common for teams to use a combination of strategies.

More curious about inside sales representative salary. We did the leg work for you, and entry level inside sales representative salary averages at roughly $51,000. Instead of spending valuable time searching “inside sales representative salary per hour” or “inside sales salary plus commission,” connect with our team today to learn more about how to begin your career in sales, and we will take care of the rest.

Inside Sales Representative Salary

As previously stated, the sales commission structure is different for every organization, and sales commission rates by industry also differ. You can count on that if you are working hard and driving sales revenue; you will get compensated for it. One of the simplest and most used sales commission structure examples is variable pay, a percentage of a single sale’s revenue. Under this incentive structure, reps earn a flat percentage for every sale. For example, imagine your company sells a product for $100,000 with a commission rate of five percent. Your reps would earn $5,000 in commission for each unit they sell.

You may ask, “what is the average commission rate for sales reps” and “what is a good commission rate for sales.” We researched this for you and found that the average commission rate is between 20-30% of sales revenue, with the range being between 5-50%. The most commonly used outside sales rep commission structure is variable pay, but for your knowledge, we included other examples:

• Base Rate Only Commission – The base rate-only plan pays sales representatives an hourly or flat salary. This commission structure benefits businesses where salespeople spend time educating and supporting customers before and after-sales.
• Base Salary Plus Commission – The base salary plus plan is one of the most common commission structures. It provides salespeople with an hourly or straight base salary plus a commission rate. The base salary is often too low to support someone’s income entirely, but it provides a guaranteed income when sales are low.
• Draw Against a Commission – The commission draw plan is based on an advance payment, or draw, that helps new hires acclimate to their sales roles without losing income. It incorporates elements of the commission-only and base pay plus commission structures. The more you sell, the more you make in commissions.
• Gross Margin Compensation – The gross margin commission model factors the expenses of the products sold. The salesperson earns a percentage of the profit. Because their commission depends on the final cost of the sale, salespeople are less likely to discount products.
• Residual Commission – The residual plan benefits salespeople with ongoing accounts or clients. As accounts continue to generate revenue, commission payments continue. The structure encourages salespeople to retain their customers or develop repeat business. This structure is common in agencies and consulting firms that handle long-term accounts.

We hope this has helped you decide whether or not you want to consider a career in outside or inside sales. If you are considering a career in sales, consider reaching out to one of our recruiters. Our recruitment process starts with you. Every search is unique, and our professional services recruiters want to establish a deep understanding of your motivations, goals, and the things you would find compelling in a new role. We work with your best interests in mind, acting as an advocate and a bridge between you and new opportunities to advance your career.

Find Your Dream Job

About NCW

Jumpstart Your Career With NCW

Are you on the hunt for your next career move? Look no further than NCW, the staffing and professional recruitment specialists who do things differently. Since our founding in 2000, our primary focus has been on you – the talented individuals behind each role.

At NCW, we believe in forming meaningful, long-term partnerships with top companies and organizations. We go beyond just matching job requirements and resumes; we want to understand your “whys” and motivations. We’re committed to unraveling the unique qualities and aspirations that drive you, to ensure we find the perfect fit for your skills and ambitions.

Discover the difference of working with NCW. Partner with us and unlock a world of career possibilities. Your next exciting opportunity awaits.

Build Your Team Today

Are you in need of recruiting services? Our team has 20+ years of recruiting experience working to match your company with top notch candidates. Reach out to our team for more information.