Sales Agent vs. Sales Representative: What Are the Differences?

A career in sales can be very rewarding, both financially and personally. Two common positions in this field are that of a sales agent and a sales representative. Though these roles share some similarities, there are several key differences between them.

In this article, we discuss the differences between a sales agent and a sales representative, and we provide additional sales-related professions you may be interested in pursuing.

What is a Sales Agent?

Sales Agents are responsible for generating new sales and business opportunities for their company. They identify potential customers, build relationships and close deals. They may work in a variety of industries and sell products or services door-to-door, over the phone or online. Sales Agents typically work on commission, so their income is directly related to their performance. They often work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to reach their sales goals.

What is a Sales Representative?

Sales Representatives are responsible for generating new leads and sales for their company. They work with potential and existing customers to promote and sell products and services. Sales Representatives typically have a quota or sales target that they are required to meet or exceed. They use a variety of methods to generate leads, including cold-calling, networking, attending trade shows and conferences, and using social media. Sales Representatives typically work in fast-paced environments and need to be able to think on their feet to close deals.

Sales Agent vs. Sales Representative

Here are the main differences between a sales agent and a sales representative.

Job Duties

Sales representatives perform many of the same tasks as sales agents, but their responsibilities are more limited. Sales representatives only work with a specific segment or department within a company. They’re responsible for selling the products and services that their department offers to customers.

Sales agents have broader job duties. They help with the entire sales process for a company, including initiating contact with potential buyers, contacting existing clients and establishing new contacts in different markets. This means that sales agents often do more advanced sales activities, like cold calling and making presentations to convince potential buyers to purchase their products.

Job Requirements

Sales agents and representatives typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the field. However, some employers prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing or another related field. Additionally, many sales professionals pursue certifications through organizations like the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP) or the American Society for Quality (ASQ). These organizations offer training programs that teach sales professionals how to use sales software and other tools they might need on the job.

Work Environment

Sales agents and representatives typically work in different environments. Sales agents often travel to meet with clients, so they may spend most of their time on the road or in airplanes. They also may work from home when they’re not traveling. Representatives usually work in an office setting where they can communicate with customers over the phone or email.

Sales agents may work more independently than representatives because they don’t have a manager who oversees them. However, both types of professionals may work long hours during busy seasons.

Skills

Sales agents and sales representatives share some similarities in the skills they use on the job. Both need to be able to build relationships with potential customers, understand their needs and communicate effectively. They also both need to be knowledgeable about the products or services they are selling and be able to answer questions about them.

However, there are some differences in the skills that sales agents and sales representatives use. Sales agents tend to work more independently, so they need to be self-motivated and have strong time management skills. They also need to be comfortable working with numbers as they track their own sales goals and progress.

Sales representatives typically work as part of a team, so they need to be able to collaborate well with others. They may also need to give presentations to groups of people, so public speaking skills can be helpful. Additionally, sales representatives may need to negotiate with customers, so they need to be confident and have strong negotiation skills.

Salary

Sales agents and sales representatives have similar job duties, but they can have different salaries. Sales agents can earn an average salary of $60,259 per year, while sales representatives can earn an average salary of $62,309 per year. The average salary for both positions can vary depending on the industry in which you work, your level of experience and your location.