Are you a natural-born salesperson? These are the best sales jobs

The sales industry is huge because just about every business sells something. The jobs in sales range widely, for example, in retail businesses there are electronics stores, clothing outlets, department stores, home furnishings stores, and automobile dealerships. Other companies directly sell goods and services to other businesses such as manufacturers, suppliers, software vendors, and consulting firms. The healthcare industry is also big, with many sales positions available in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and related devices that sell to hospitals and other healthcare providers. The options for careers in sales are almost endless.

The top sales jobs can provide great earning potential for those that have the skills and drive to succeed. The question is, what are the best sales jobs? Well, we’ll tell you about that and help you zero in on the best jobs for you.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog:

• Top skills for being in sales

• 13 of the best jobs in sales

• Recap

What does it take to be a great sales professional?

Sales people are always in demand because they’re the ones who drive growth and bring new business and new sources of revenue to companies. You need strong people skills, as well as good analytical skills to be successful in sales. Knowing the market trends and ensuring that your team is on top of them is crucial to achieving targets. 

Some of the best skills for a sales professional to have are:

• Business knowledge

• Communication

• Training and mentoring

• Tech-savvy

• Time management

• Negotiation

• Honesty and integrity

13 of the highest paying sales jobs

Sales is a broad area and there are many different types of sales roles to explore. We’re going to hit on just a few of them, but these are currently some of the hottest and highest paying sales jobs out there. 

1. Sales Engineer - This sales role requires a lot of technical knowledge and the ability to work with customers to ensure what they purchase meets their exact needs. Sales engineers sell highly technical products that usually have to be customized for each client. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows sales engineers making an average of $103,710 annually in 2021. The telecommunications industry, computer systems design, and wholesale electronic markets are some of the best paying areas for sales engineers, with salaries well above the average.

2. Regional Sales Manager - Large companies have big sales organizations that are usually organized by geographic area. Regional sales managers oversee sales activities for a specific geographic area. They communicate with customers and lead teams of sales representatives. Regional sales managers can easily make between $100,000 to $200,000 per year.

3. Medical Device Sales Representative - Medical sales jobs, especially medical device sales, is one of the highest paying sales professions. These representatives sell products to healthcare companies and help them choose the right items by providing product information and training. Medical device sales reps earn around $70,000 a year, with the potential for making over six figures. New applicants for medical device sales usually need a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or science.

4. Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives - Product knowledge is key for selling in the wholesale or manufacturing industries. Sales reps in these areas must have great selling and negotiation skills because their pay is often primarily based on commissions. These jobs are fast-paced and usually involve a lot of travel. The average pay rate is around $63,000 (per BLS 2021 data), but a well-paid wholesale or manufacturing sales representative can earn over $100,000.

5. Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents - Sales professionals in the financial world are often very well paid. Most of the highest paying areas are in securities, commodities, and financial services. These professionals work with clients to buy and sell financial instruments and provide expert advice on investments. The average salary is nearly $63,000 (per BLS 2021 data). This is usually a combination of a base salary and commissions, so the pay rates vary widely, and high performers in this field can earn well above the average.

6. Advertising Sales Representatives -  Marketing is another area that almost every company has, and it requires having sales reps to sell advertising. These reps work with their clients and marketing firms or internal departments to provide ad space based on the client's needs. They have to be familiar with marketing and sales, which includes knowledge of all the media types involved (TV, radio, print, websites, email, social media). Pay for advertising sales representative positions is usually based on commissions, with an average annual pay rate of about $52,000 (per BLS 2021 data). However, it is possible to make more than $100,000.

7. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative - Another high-paying job in the medical sales area is in pharmaceuticals. Selling pharmaceuticals is big business and requires reps to meet with doctors and other healthcare pros to discuss treatments, provide samples, and deliver marketing information. Sales reps also educate them on new medications or other pharmaceutical goods and keep them up to speed on new industry developments. The salary range for pharmaceuticals sales reps is from $52,000 to $84,000 a year. Having a strong medical or scientific background is a big help if you are looking to get into this career. 

8. Insurance Sales Agent - Insurance is another big industry that has a lot of opportunities for sales professionals. It is one area that does not require a college degree, which makes it a great entry-level position. An insurance sales agent assists customers in choosing the best kind of insurance and policies to purchase. There are several specific insurance areas to focus on like life, auto, renters, and homeowners. Insurance sales agent jobs are often based  on commission.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the average pay in 2021 was around $50,000, but it is possible to make over $100,000 as a high-performing agent.

9. Real Estate Agent - Most people think real estate agents just sell homes, but that is just one area that real estate sales professionals cover. Real estate sales roles include selling office space, commercial properties, rentals, and even land leases. Real estate is very expensive and since most real estate agents work on commission, they can make a lot of money. The average BLS pay rate for a real estate agent in 2021 was around $50,000, but pay depends on the type of real estate you are selling and the value of the property sold. A good real estate agent can easily make more than the average. Becoming a real estate broker who is licensed to manage a real estate business, versus being a real estate agent who works with a broker, will yield the highest earnings in this industry.

10. Travel Agents - One of the more interesting and exciting jobs in sales can be selling travel packages. Travel agents help individuals and groups plan for upcoming excursions or events. They arrange travel, book accommodations, schedule tours, and other travel-related activities. Travel agents usually make around $40,000 annually, but this is also subject to commissions and bonuses, which can easily increase pay over 50%.

11. Account Manager - Many companies have account manager roles. They primarily focus on assisting clients with their product or service needs, including suggesting new offerings to create additional sales. This is another role that does not require extensive experience. Entry-level account managers can make over $50,000 a year, with top-level account managers in large companies making well over $100,000.

12. Software Sales Representative - In the world of technology, software runs everything. So, selling software is an important job. The software sales rep is the person that is tasked with selling a company’s software products and services to enterprises and other organizations. It takes a lot of technical knowledge and great selling skills to excel as a software sales rep. For those who are up to the challenge, the pay is good. Average salaries range from about $50,000 to over $150,000, with many reps in specialty areas making even more.

13. Major Gifts Officer - If you are looking for something in the non-profit realm, then a major gift officer is something you should consider. These sales professionals specialize in getting donations for a non-profit organization and are often employed by hospitals, museums, zoos, and charitable organizations. They leverage the mission of the organization as a selling point to urge their clients to make financial donations. Salaries for major gift officers vary widely, but the range is around $50,000 to $100,000 annually. They are among the highest paid workers in the non-profit sector.

Everyone wants to have a high-paying job, but not everyone is prepared to go out and get one. Sales can be a very rewarding and high-paying role. To be great at sales, you need to have strong communication skills and enjoy working in a fast-paced, competitive environment. If you’re up for the challenge, then polish up your resume and put yourself out there.

Key takeaways 

1. Sales is a giant field with lots of opportunities

2. You need to have the right skills and attitude to get the best job

3. Go for the sales area that best suits your skills and interests 

4. It’s not all about the money, but making a lot of money in sales is possible