Do Tech Sales Pay Well?

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Do tech sales pay well? If you want to get into tech and you’re considering a career in tech sales, you’re probably wondering if it pays well. The short answer is yes, tech sales can be a lucrative career choice.

According to Glassdoor, the median salary for a technical sales professional in the United States is $74,638 per year, with an estimated additional pay of $38,925.

But, as with any profession, your earning potential in tech sales will depend on a variety of factors, including your experience, the company you work for, and the specific role you hold.

For example, enterprise sales or account executive positions tend to have the highest earning potential, with average total compensation of $172,209 per year, according to The Muse.

Work in tech sales can be:

• Personally rewarding
• High-paying
• Interesting, engaging work

Whether you’re new to the tech field or a seasoned worker in tech and IT, if you’re considering tech sales positions and wondering if it’s worth it, I hope this blog post will help you make that decision.

We’ll take a closer look at the tech sales career, tech sales salaries and explore some of the factors that can impact your earning potential. We’ll also share some tips for breaking into tech sales and advancing your career in this exciting and fast-paced field.

What is Tech Sales?

Tech sales refers to the process of selling technology products or services to potential customers.

This can include a range of products and services such as:

• Software
• Hardware
• Cloud computing solutions
• Data storage, and
• Cybersecurity services.

The goal of tech sales is to convince potential customers that the technology product or service being offered is the right solution for their needs, and to close the sale.

Tech sales is the process that often involves a combination of technical knowledge, sales skills, and customer relationship management.

Sales representatives need to be able to understand the technical details of the product or service they are selling, as well as communicate its benefits to customers in a clear and persuasive manner.

They may also need to provide ongoing support to customers after the sale is completed, to ensure that they are satisfied with their purchase and to encourage repeat business.

If you want to work in the technology field, technology sales is a definitely a career worth considering.

Tech Sales Roles

Tech sales roles and tech sales job titles can include sales representatives, account managers, and sales engineers.

Sales representatives are responsible for identifying potential customers, making sales calls, and closing deals.

• Prospecting and Lead Generation: Tech sales reps identify and qualify potential customers by researching leads and making cold calls.
• Product Demonstrations and Presentations: They demonstrate how the product or service works to potential customers and create presentations to showcase the features and benefits of the product. The demo will illustrate how a product works, identify a problem, and show what solution it provides.
• Consultation and Solution Selling: Tech sales reps listen to customers’ needs and tailor their product recommendations accordingly. They might sell customers tech software or hardware products.
• Negotiation and Closing Deals: They negotiate pricing and contract terms with customers and close sales deals.
• Customer Relationship Management: Work with CRM to manage leads, offer customer support, sales history, and communication. Tech sales reps manage relationships with customers and ensure their satisfaction by providing support, resolving issues, and following up after the sale.
• Sales Reporting and Forecasting: They keep track of sales data, analyze sales trends, and forecast future sales.
• Collaboration with other teams: Tech sales reps work closely with marketing, engineering, and customer success teams to ensure customer needs are met and to communicate feedback from the field.

Account managers, on the other hand, are responsible for maintaining relationships with existing customers and ensuring their satisfaction.

• Account Management: The tech sales account manager is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with their assigned accounts. They work to understand the needs of their customers, establish rapport, and act as a trusted advisor.
• Sales Forecasting: They monitor sales trends and forecast future sales for their accounts, ensuring that their sales goals are being met and developing strategies to improve sales performance.
• Business Development: They identify new opportunities to expand sales within their existing customer base and work to establish new relationships with potential customers.
• Contract Negotiation: They negotiate pricing and contract terms with customers, working to establish mutually beneficial agreements.
• Customer Communication: They communicate with customers regularly, providing updates on product offerings, promotions, and any other relevant information.
• Collaboration with other teams: The tech sales account manager works closely with other teams within the organization, including marketing, product development, and customer support, to ensure that customer needs are being met and to identify opportunities for growth.
• Sales Reporting: They maintain accurate records of software sales and hardware sales activities and report on sales performance to management on a regular basis.

Sales engineers work closely with both sales representatives and customers to provide technical expertise and support throughout the sales process.

• Product Demonstrations: The sales engineer is responsible for demonstrating the technical capabilities of the company’s products and services to potential customers.
• Pre-sales Consultation: They consult with potential customers to understand their technical requirements and provide recommendations on how the company’s products and services can meet those needs.
• Proposal Development: They work with the sales team to develop proposals and provide technical specifications and requirements to potential customers.
• Technical Support: They provide technical support to the sales team throughout the sales process, answering technical questions and addressing any concerns potential customers may have.
• Collaboration with Engineering: They work closely with the engineering team to ensure that the company’s products and services are meeting customer needs and to identify opportunities for product improvements.
• Sales Training: They provide training to the sales team on the technical aspects of the company’s products and services, which may include the elements of a sales funnel and identifying new sales opportunities, ensuring that the sales team is knowledgeable and equipped to effectively sell the products.

You see that a lot of these tech salespeople jobs have job duties that overlap.

Generally, a tech sales rep or SDR (sales development rep) is an entry-level position with account executives and sales engineers being higher up on the career ladder. Senior positions like sales manager, senior sales rep, and VP of Sales also exist, among other leadership positions.

Tech Sales Salaries

How much do tech sales make?

One of the most attractive aspects of a career in tech sales is the potential for high earnings.

According to Built In, entry-level tech sales representatives have an average base salary of around $48,000 a year, with commissions bringing the average compensation to around $75,000.

Mid-level professionals can earn base salaries of around $80,000 a year, with total compensation reaching up to $150,000 or more. Senior-level professionals can earn even higher salaries, with some earning over $200,000 a year.

You may find that if you get into tech sales and work at a tech startup, your salary may be higher than this. Tech startups are known for offering high salaries in many cases, but, not always.

So, if you want get a job in tech within tech sales and with the highest salary possible, consider finding a job at a sstartup.

How much do tech sales reps make?

You can learn tech sales from a career academy like CourseCareers. Their tech sales graduates earn an average of $60K to $80K per year.

It’s important to note that salaries can vary depending on factors such as location, industry, and company size.

For example, tech sales professionals in larger cities such as San Francisco and New York may earn higher salaries due to the higher cost of living. A

Additionally, those working for larger tech companies may have more opportunities for advancement and higher salaries.

Overall, tech sales can be a lucrative career path for those with strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as an interest in technology. Keep in mind that success in tech sales often requires hard work, persistence, and a willingness to continually learn and adapt to new technologies and sales techniques.

Factors That Affect Tech Sales Salaries

When it comes to tech sales, salaries can vary widely depending on several factors. Here are some of the most important factors that can impact your earnings:

Experience

One of the most significant factors that can affect your tech sales salary is your level of experience. As you gain more experience in the field, you will likely be able to command a higher salary.

For example, according to Glassdoor, the median salary for a technical salesperson in the United States is $74,638 per year. However, more experienced salespeople can earn significantly more than this.

Additionally, your track record of hitting sales quotas can also impact your salary. If you have a history of consistently meeting or exceeding your sales targets, you may be able to negotiate a higher salary or qualify for bonuses and commissions.

Location

The location where you work can also have a significant impact on your tech sales salary. Salaries can vary widely depending on the cost of living in your area and the demand for sales professionals in your region.

For example, according to Salary.com, the average salary for a technical sales representative in the United States is $99,884 per year. However, salaries can be higher in areas with a higher cost of living, such as San Francisco or New York City.

Industry

The industry in which you work can also impact your tech sales salary. Some industries, such as software and technology, tend to pay higher salaries for sales professionals due to the complexity and technical nature of the products they sell.

On the other hand, industries such as retail or consumer goods may have lower salaries for salespeople. According to Rainmakers, tech companies tend to pay higher salaries for sales professionals, with a median pay of $80,000 for sales jobs on the corporate level in 2019.

How to Increase Your Tech Sales Salary

If you want to increase your salary in tech sales, there are several things you can do to improve your chances. Here are a few tips:

Developing Your Skills

Developing certain skills can help you stand out from other tech sales representatives and increase your earning potential. Some skills to focus on include:

• Communication: Being able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues is crucial in tech sales. Work on improving your verbal and written communication skills.
• Technical Knowledge: Having a strong understanding of the technology you’re selling can help you explain its benefits to potential clients. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the tech industry.
• Negotiation: Negotiating deals is a key part of tech sales. Take courses or workshops on negotiation to improve your skills in this area.
• Time Management: Being able to manage your time effectively can help you close deals more efficiently and increase your productivity.

Networking

Networking can help you build relationships with potential clients and colleagues, which can lead to more sales opportunities. Here are a few ways to network effectively:

• Attend Industry Events: Attend conferences, trade shows, and other industry events to meet new people and learn about the latest trends in tech sales.
• Join Professional Organizations: Joining a professional organization can help you connect with other tech sales representatives and gain access to valuable resources and information.
• Use Social Media: Use social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other professionals in your industry and share your expertise.

Education

Continuing your education can help you develop new skills and increase your earning potential. Here are a few ways to further your education:

• Take Courses: Take courses in sales, marketing, or other related fields to improve your skills and knowledge.
• Get Certified: Consider getting certified in a relevant area, such as Salesforce or HubSpot, to demonstrate your expertise to potential clients.
• Pursue Higher Education: Pursuing a degree in business, marketing, or a related field can help you advance your career and increase your earning potential.

How to break into tech sales

Tech sales is a growing industry. Big tech grew by nearly 7% in 2022. Technology sales is a great way to get your foot in the door in tech and IT.

Tech sales is an interesting industry because it’s one of the only tech-related fields that doesn’t require you have a bachelor’s degree and experience to work in.

But, before you jump into applying for tech sales jobs, you want to know what you’re doing, what the work climate is like, and have some idea and experience in technical sales.

That’s why taking career training like CourseCareers is recommended. They teach you the high-income skill of technology sales and everything you need to know to succeed in this career field. Learn what you need to land a high-paying tech sales job. Our CourseCareers review breaks down how the training program works. Read about how everyday people are going from working at McDonalds to $120,000 tech sales career.

Here’s a general outline of a step-by-step path to take to get a job in tech sales:

1. Gain Relevant Education: While there is no specific educational requirement for tech sales, having a degree in a related field such as business, marketing, or engineering can be helpful. Consider taking courses or earning certifications in sales, customer service, and technology to build your skills.
2. Develop Sales Skills: To succeed in tech sales, you need to have strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Consider taking sales courses, attending sales training seminars or workshops, and practicing your sales techniques.
3. Gain Industry Knowledge: Familiarize yourself with the tech industry and the products and services offered by companies in the space. Attend industry events, read industry publications, and follow industry leaders on social media.
4. Gain Experience: Consider getting an entry-level job in sales, customer service, or marketing to gain experience and develop your skills. This can help you build a track record of success that you can use to demonstrate your value to potential employers.
5. Network: Attend industry events and conferences, join professional associations, and connect with industry professionals on social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Building a strong professional network can help you discover job opportunities and make valuable connections in the industry.

So, learn skills through education and experience, gain industry knowledge, network throughout the process and begin applying for tech sales jobs. CourseCareers offers assistance with career search, resume prep, interview prep and job help as well.

What’s it like working with tech products and services?

You’ll be exposed to different tech products and tech accessories, have plenty of opportunities to test and try the latest products on the market, and the latest tech.

Sales jobs like tech sales is great for developing your sales skills, identify problems and provide software solutions. You will:

• Work in a fast-paced environment
• Get comfortable with sales strategies like cold calling
• Saas products
• Tech hardware and software products
• Selling new products

There will be plenty of ways to learn and continue developing your skills.

Who is tech sales for?

If you’re someone who loves technology and enjoys working in a fast-paced, innovative environment, then tech sales might be the perfect career path for you. It’s also great for people who have sales experience or experience selling tech products though, this isn’t a hard requirement. Every tech company is different and will have different requirements for the position including career growth opportunities.

In tech sales, you’ll be promoting and selling products and services in the tech industry.

In this line of work, you’ll also be working in tech sales requires collaboration with other teams within the company, such as marketing, engineering, and customer service. So, if you enjoy working in a team environment and love to solve problems and find creative solutions, tech sales could be a great fit for you.

Tech sales is a results-driven profession, where success is often measured by the number of deals closed and revenue generated. So, if you’re someone who is motivated by achieving results and enjoys setting and achieving goals, tech sales could be a perfect match for you.

In summary, tech sales is an exciting career path that offers opportunities for growth and learning. If you’re a millennial who loves technology, enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, and has strong sales skills, then tech sales could be a great fit for you.

What skills do you need to get into tech sales?

You should have a desire to help others, be familiar with desktop computers, physical devices, know how product demos work, using modern sales strategies to acquire customers. You’ll be working with a lot of tech products and should be comfortable with that and have a general interest in tech.

The skills necessary to succeed are:

• Strong sales skills
• Communication skills
• Negotiation
• Relationship-building skills, and
• A good understanding of the technical aspects of the products and services you’re selling

Can you make a lot of money in tech sales?

Yes, it is possible to make a lot of money in tech sales. Tech sales can be a highly lucrative field, especially for those who are skilled at selling complex and high-value technology products or services. Sales representatives in the tech industry often have the potential to earn high salaries, as well as bonuses and commissions based on their performance.

The earning potential for tech sales professionals can vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the size and reputation of the company they work for, the complexity and value of the products or services they sell, their level of experience and expertise, and their ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships.

In general, those who are successful in tech sales and are able to consistently meet or exceed their sales targets can earn a significant income.

Is tech sales a good career?

Tech sales can be a great career for those who enjoy working with technology and have strong communication and sales skills. It is a dynamic and rapidly growing field, and there are many opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

One of the benefits of a career in tech sales is the potential for high earnings, as sales representatives can earn competitive base salaries and bonuses or commissions based on their performance.

Additionally, there is often a high demand for tech sales professionals, which can make it easier to find job opportunities and negotiate favorable compensation packages.

Tech sales can also be a challenging and rewarding career path, as it requires a combination of technical knowledge and sales skills, as well as the ability to build and maintain strong customer relationships.

Sales representatives in the tech industry often have the opportunity to work with innovative and cutting-edge products and services, and to help businesses and organizations solve complex problems through technology.

Overall, whether or not tech sales is a good career for you will depend on your individual interests, skills, and career goals. It can be a highly rewarding and lucrative career path for those who are passionate about technology and have strong sales and communication skills.

Bottom Line

If working from a laptop, remotely or in-person at the office, talking to customers selling tech products, and being exposed to the latest tech innovations is interesting to you, then tech sales is a career to consider.

Based on the information presented, it is clear that tech sales can be a lucrative career path. With the potential to earn six-figure salaries and the industry’s projected growth, it is a field worth considering if you have an interest in sales and technology.

However, it is important to keep in mind that earning a high salary in tech sales often requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to continuously learn and adapt to new technologies and sales strategies. It may also require starting at a lower salary as a sales development representative and working your way up.

Additionally, it is important to consider the potential downsides of a career in tech sales, such as the pressure to meet sales quotas and the need to continuously build and maintain relationships with clients.

It may not be the right fit for everyone.

Ultimately, whether or not tech sales is a good fit for you depends on your interests, skills, and career goals.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in tech sales, it is important to do your research, network with professionals in the industry, and gain relevant experience through internships or entry-level positions.

If tech sales is a career path you’re interested in pursuing, look into career training to help you break into this tech role. Our CourseCareers review will tell you what you need to know about their training program.