Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products fall under the Sales and Related category in the U.S. occupational classification. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products earn a median salary of $72,080 per year, ranking in the top 37% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -0.9% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products earn?

The median annual wage for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products is $72,080. That puts sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products at #304 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products is -0.9%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 1.3M positions in 2024 to 1.3M in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What education does my child need to become sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific product?

Many sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
  $69,990 median
• Advertising Sales Agents
  $64,820 median
• Insurance Sales Agents
  $62,280 median
• Real Estate Sales Agents
  $52,830 median
• Travel Agents
  $50,160 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
  $48,520 median

Common questions parents ask about sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products