Salary of a Wholesale Account Executive
A wholesale account executive, also referred to as a wholesale sales representative or sales engineer, is a professional who sells products for manufacturers or wholesalers. These professionals promote an organization's products by contacting customers, presenting products through demonstrations and closing sales to customers. Salary varies for this occupation depending on the types of products and services being sold. Salary typically includes a base salary and commissions for sales accomplishments.
-
Qualifications
-
Wholesale account executives typically sell in one of two product categories: nontechnical products or technical and scientific products. Employers who sell nontechnical products typically require a high school diploma or GED for this occupation. More importantly, a wholesale account executive should be self-motivated and driven to achieve sales goals. Employers who sell technical and scientific products often require a bachelor's degree in a discipline such as engineering, information technology, biology, chemistry or a related discipline.
Nontechnical
-
Wholesale account executives who sell nontechnical products are required to have extensive knowledge of the items they sell. Throughout the sales process, the account executive listens to each customer's needs, then selects and demonstrates products that will address the customer's needs. In May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 1,409,780 wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives of nontechnical products were employed in the United States. The annual median wage was $50,920 for this occupation. The 25th percentile earned $35,950 per year and the 75th percentile earned $74,310 per year.
-
Technical and Scientific
-
Wholesale account executives who sell technical and scientific products are often required to have extensive technical knowledge of the products they sell. These professionals sell products to customers such as engineers, scientists and other technical professionals. In May of 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 406,140 wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives of technical and scientific products were employed in the United States. The annual median wage was $71,340. The 25th percentile earned $49,690 per year and the 75th percentile earned $100,910 per year.
Sales Engineers
-
Sales engineers are wholesale account executives who not only sell technical products, but often support customers who purchase products by helping with installation and assisting with repair and maintenance of products. These professionals must also have extensive technical knowledge of the products they sell as well as the systems and services their customers use to successfully demonstrate and select products that will meet each customer's needs. In May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated 71,640 sales engineers were employed in the United States. Annual median wages were $83,190. The 25th percentile earned $63,030 per year and the 75th percentile earned $110,060 per year.
-
References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Engineers
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products Occupational Wages
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products Occupational Wages
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Sales Engineers Occupational Wages