Sales Representatives

Employment for manufacturers' and wholesale sales representatives-technical and scientific products is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all careers through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Because of continued economic growth and an increasing number of new and complex products on the market, more sales representatives will be needed to explain, demonstrate, and sell these products to customers. Job opportunities for manufacturers' and wholesale sales representatives excluding those involved in the sale of technical and scientific products will grow more slowly than the average through 2033, according to the DOL. "Wholesale sales are increasingly being conducted online" according to the DOL. "These online sales are mostly expected to complement, rather than replace, face-to-face selling. Advances in artificial intelligence and integration with automation technologies, such as chat bots, may limit employment growth for sales representatives."

Employment growth is expected to be strongest for sales representatives who are employed by independent sales agencies. These professionals represent product manufacturers and operate on a fee or commission basis. Although this decreases overhead costs for manufacturers, the instability of self-employment is a deterrent in the field of independent sales. Thus, competition for in-house sales positions with wholesalers will be stiff, and jobs will go to applicants with the most experience and technical knowledge.