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Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$72,080median pay per year, or $34.65 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $39,090lowest 10% earn less
  2. $50,47025th percentile
  3. $72,080median
  4. $99,64075th percentile
  5. $137,550top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Sales representatives in wholesale and manufacturing who do not sell technical or scientific products had a median pay of $72,080 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to shrink 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.9%[2]
Openings per year
99,800[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives make?

The official BLS category is Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. The median pay was $72,080 a year, or $34.65 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $82,530 a year, or $39.68 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,090 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $50,470[4]. The top-paid 25% earned more than $99,640, and the top-paid 10% earned more than $137,550[4]. Hourly, the same marks were $18.79, $24.27, $47.90 and $66.13[9].

Measure Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][9] $39,090 $18.79
25th percentile[4][9] $50,470 $24.27
Median[1] $72,080 $34.65
75th percentile[4][9] $99,640 $47.90
90th percentile[4][9] $137,550 $66.13

A percentile wage is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[10]. The data leave out self-employed workers, certain bonuses and the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

Rhode Island had the top state median at $82,420, followed by the District of Columbia at $80,010 and Washington at $79,830[12]. Arkansas was last on the list at $55,120[12].

The states with the most jobs were California (134,800), Texas (95,670), Florida (92,920), New York (61,500) and Ohio (58,740)[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Lawton, OK had the top median at $124,340, then San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $103,670 and Napa, CA at $100,460[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 61,860, with a median of $81,140[15]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim followed with 54,950 jobs[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Rhode Island[12]$82,4204,870
District of Columbia$80,010560
Washington$79,83027,340
Massachusetts$79,81022,700
New York$79,59061,500
New Jersey$79,41034,360
Colorado$79,25027,530
South Dakota$77,2105,220
Vermont$76,8401,890
Minnesota$76,75031,230
California$76,490134,800
Connecticut$75,5709,870
North Dakota$74,2504,180
Oregon$74,18015,020
Ohio$73,96058,740
Illinois$73,51051,310
Maryland$73,0809,070
Michigan$72,98040,960
New Hampshire$72,7904,940
Wyoming$72,5301,480
Arizona$72,39019,400
Indiana$71,33032,350
North Carolina$70,99049,110
Kansas$68,96012,630
Nevada$68,1508,970
Iowa$66,76016,990
Pennsylvania$66,13051,270
Texas$65,97095,670
Wisconsin$65,93037,700
Idaho$64,8407,210
Kentucky$64,28015,550
South Carolina$64,25022,010
Alabama$64,14020,470
Nebraska$64,0308,550
Maine$63,9603,320
Georgia$63,86043,630
West Virginia$63,5603,220
Virginia$63,40022,570
Louisiana$63,29019,120
Florida$62,49092,920
Delaware$62,2802,920
Oklahoma$62,16014,220
Utah$61,98013,900
Missouri$61,94021,960
Montana$61,6703,510
Tennessee$61,63023,850
New Mexico$61,3203,660
Mississippi$59,3207,000
Hawaii$59,0103,280
Alaska$56,830910
Arkansas$55,12012,740

How to become a wholesale or manufacturing sales representative

The training details here come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of related occupations, so they may not fit every job in this category[16]. The usual path in the BLS projections looks like this[7]:

The profile says a high school diploma is generally enough when the products are not scientific or technical[17]. Selling scientific or technical products usually calls for a bachelor's degree[17]. Some employers want a degree in a field tied to the product[18].

Many companies run formal training programs for beginners, and some last as long as a year[19]. Other new hires learn by riding along on sales calls with experienced workers, then take on more duties until they get their own territory[20]. Some representatives take sales seminars or courses in subjects such as marketing or communication[21]. Professional certification is not required, but some representatives choose to earn it[22].

O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone Four, which it describes as needing considerable preparation[23].

What wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives do

O*NET says these workers sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups, and the work calls for solid knowledge of the items sold[24]. Tasks include, with the most important first[25]:

Where they work

This section draws on the wider BLS profile[16]. Merchant wholesalers of durable goods were the largest employer group, at 33% of workers[26]. Some representatives cover large territories and travel a lot, and may be away from home for days or weeks[27]. Others spend much of their time on the phone, taking orders and resolving problems, and they also reach clients by chat, email and video[28]. Income and job security often depend on how much a representative sells, and companies usually set quotas, which can bring considerable stress[29]. BLS says most representatives have full-time jobs, and many put in over 40 hours a week[30]. Only 2.4% of workers in this category were self-employed in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,279,400 to 1,268,200 jobs, a drop of 11,200[2]. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2], while the OEWS count of about 1,238,190 covers wage and salary jobs in May 2025[32].

Even so, about 99,800 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 5% to move to a different occupation[33].

BLS names one factor for this job. Generative AI is expected to lower the occupation's share of employment as it becomes part of the sales process, freeing representatives to focus on direct selling[34].

Is it a good fit?

The typical entry route is a high school diploma with no related experience, followed by moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. Pay is above the all-occupations median, but the range runs from $39,090 at the 10th percentile to $137,550 at the 90th[5][4]. Employment is projected to decline slightly, though about 99,800 openings a year are expected[2][6]. The wider BLS profile notes travel, phone work and sales quotas, so the day-to-day can differ by employer[27][28][29].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a wholesale or manufacturing sales representative make an hour?
The median was $34.65 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $39.68[1][8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $18.79 an hour and the top-paid 10% earned more than $66.13[9].
What education do you need to be a manufacturing sales representative?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent with moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. A wider BLS profile says selling scientific or technical products usually calls for a bachelor's degree[16][17].
How long is the training?
BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training[7]. The wider BLS profile says some company training programs last as long as a year[16][19].
Is wholesale and manufacturing sales in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations are projected to grow 3.5%[2][3]. About 99,800 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for this job?
Rhode Island had the top state median at $82,420, followed by the District of Columbia at $80,010[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products in the US was $72,080 per year and $34.65 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products is projected to decline 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 1,279,400 to 1,268,200 jobs (a change of -11,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: 10th percentile $39,090, 25th percentile $50,470, 75th percentile $99,640, 90th percentile $137,550. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 99,800 openings for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products was $82,530 per year and $39.68 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: 10th percentile $18.79, 25th percentile $24.27, 75th percentile $47.90, 90th percentile $66.13. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products jobs: California 134,800; Texas 95,670; Florida 92,920; New York 61,500; Ohio 58,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products (areas with at least 100 jobs): Lawton, OK $124,340; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $103,670; Napa, CA $100,460; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $93,100; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $84,920; Boulder, CO $84,660; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $82,260; Casper, WY $81,320. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 61,860 (median $81,140); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 54,950 (median $74,490); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 38,490 (median $75,350); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 30,740 (median $62,400); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 29,100 (median $64,940); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 27,650 (median $64,990). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives" covers Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 41-4012.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products. O*NET OnLine
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives in 2025: Merchant wholesalers, durable goods 33%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 2.4% of Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 1,238,190 people were employed as Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: Productivity change - share decreases as generative artificial intelligence (AI) is integrated into the sales process allowing sales representatives to focus on direct sales activity. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.