Technical Sales Specialists in Wholesale Trade
(NOC 6221)
in All Sales and ServiceTechnical sales specialists, wholesale trade, sell a range of technical goods and services, such as scientific, agricultural and industrial products, electricity, telecommunications services and computer services, to governments and to commercial and industrial establishments in domestic and international localities. They are employed by establishments that produce or provide technical goods and services, such as pharmaceutical companies, industrial equipment manufacturing companies, grain elevators, computer services firms, engineering firms and hydroelectric companies, or they may be self-employed technical sales specialists/agents who contract their services to other companies. Technical sales specialists who are supervisors are included in this group. Technical sales specialists usually specialize in a particular line of goods or services.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Sales and Service
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a fairly large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities occur fairly regularly. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow slightly over the next few years, which should provide some additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Technical Sales Specialists in Wholesale Trade most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
The median employment income for 75% of Technical Sales Specialists in Wholesale Trade who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $66,343. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.15
Minimum$20.00
Median$38.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$18,617
Minimum$59,119
Median$133,282
MaximumCompared to: All Sales and Service
Hourly Pay
$11.55
Minimum$12.50
Median$21.17
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,949
Minimum$16,629
Median$45,086
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Technical sales specialists, wholesale trade, sell a range of technical goods and services, such as scientific, agricultural and industrial products, electricity, telecommunications services and computer services, to governments and to commercial and industrial establishments in domestic and international localities.
They are employed by establishments that produce or provide technical goods and services, such as pharmaceutical companies, industrial equipment manufacturing companies, grain elevators, computer services firms, engineering firms and hydroelectric companies, or they may be self-employed technical sales specialists/agents who contract their services to other companies. Technical sales specialists who are supervisors are included in this group. Technical sales specialists usually specialize in a particular line of goods or services.
Job duties
Technical sales specialists perform some or all of the following duties:
- Promote sales to existing clients.
- Identify and solicit potential clients.
- Assess clients' needs and resources and recommend the appropriate goods or services.
- Provide input into product design where goods or services must be tailored to suit clients' needs.
- Develop reports and proposals as part of sales presentation to illustrate benefits from use of good or service.
- Estimate costs of installing and maintaining equipment or service.
- Prepare and administer sales contracts.
- Consult with clients after sale to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
- Troubleshoot technical problems related to equipment.
- May train customers' staff in the operation and maintenance of equipment.
- May conduct sales transactions through Internet-based electronic commerce.
- May supervise the activities of other technical staff and sales specialists.
Sample job titles
- computer equipment sales specialist
- customer support representative
- heavy equipment salesperson
- medical equipment and supplies salesperson
- pharmaceutical sales representative
- sales broker
- technical sales consultant
- technical sales specialist
- technical support specialist
Skills
This work requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills. You must be aware of the customer's needs and give careful attention to detail. You will be required to gain in-depth knowledge of the products you represent. Fluency in a specific foreign language, and/or foreign work or travel experience may be required for technical sales specialists seeking employment with companies that import or export technical goods or services.
Job requirements
- A university degree or college diploma in a program related to the product or service is usually required.
- Extensive company training programs for technical sales specialists may be provided by employers.
Other considerations
Earnings will often depend upon the type of product being sold and the volume of sales made. People in these jobs will have to keep abreast of technological changes in the products they sell. Experience in sales or in a technical occupation related to the product or service may be required.
Progression to sales management positions is possible with additional training or experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Sales and Service
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Wholesale Trade
Information, Culture & Recreation
Computer System Design Services
Construction
Retail Trade
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
25-34
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Sales and Service
25-34
35-44
55-64
Top levels of education
Bachelor's degree
$62,919 median annual incomeHigh school
$27,496 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$45,600 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$47,057 median annual incomeLess than high school
$28,189 median annual incomeCompared to: All Sales and Service
High school
$12,982 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$19,514 median annual incomeLess than high school
$9,486 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$20,807 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$18,797 median annual incomeEducation & training
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Computer engineering - General
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of computer hardware and software systems and related equipment and facilities; and the analysis of specific problems of computer applications to various tasks.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Electrical, electronic and communications engineering technology/technician
This program is typically offered at the trades/college level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of electrical, electronics and communication engineers. These programs include courses in electrical circuitry, prototype development and testing; systems analysis and testing, systems maintenance, instrument calibration, and report preparation.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Information technology
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the design of technological information systems, including computing systems, as solutions to business and research data and communications support needs. These programs include courses in the principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, application testing, and human interface design.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
50 Elliott Road
Lawrencetown, NS B0S 1M0
(902) 825-3491
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
5685 Leeds Street
Halifax, NS B3K 2T3
(902) 491-6722
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Selling skills and sales operations
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to possess the skills associated with direct promotion of products and services to potential customers and to function as independent sales representatives and managers. These programs include courses in consumer psychology, image projection, public speaking and interpersonal communications, sales organization and operations, customer relations, professional standards and ethics, and applicable technical skills.
Specialized sales, merchandising and marketing operations - Other
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations.
Institutions providing this program
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.