How to Become a Tech Salesperson
The technology industry is booming around the country, and there are countless positions available that need to be filled. Surprisingly, sales positions are some of the most difficult roles to fill in tech. And while the industry as a whole suffers from a skills shortage, sales should be one of the most enticing careers to have in tech.
Tech sales professionals are vital to the industry, and they’re well compensated for their work. As a tech salesperson, you’ll deal with clients from all backgrounds. Additionally, you’ll help people find the products they need to fit their needs.
Tech sales jobs are everywhere, and they offer a number of perks over traditional sales and customer service roles. These positions pay handsome salaries, in addition to commission and other traditional benefits of a sales job.
If you’re good with people and enjoy helping others solve problems, you could be a good fit for a technology sales career. In addition to good starting salaries and commission, tech sales offers good upward mobility and career options.
Here are some statistics supporting tech sales as a great career to transition to.
- According to Glassdoor, technology sales professionals earned a base salary of $67,542 per year.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that sales positions will grow 5.2% overall. However, sales positions within the tech industry are likely to exceed that growth.
What Is Tech Sales?
Technology sales jobs are similar to any other kind of sales representative position. Instead of selling cars, tools, or heavy machinery, technology sales professionals sell high-tech products and services to individuals and companies. Tech sales professionals work for startups, mid-size tech companies, and even big tech giants like Apple, Google, Amazon, and Facebook.
What Do Tech Salespeople Do?
Technology sales professionals interact with people and businesses to help provide solutions to problems. These professionals speak with clients and help identify the problems that the company can solve with its products.
Tech sales doesn’t typically include stereotypical high-pressure sales process. Here’s a hypothetical scenario that many tech sales professionals run into with potential customers:
You may work for a credit card processor like Square, which helps small business accept payments. A typical day might be calling a small business prospect and explaining how having a Square Point-Of-Sale system will allow them to accept more payments compared to traditional cashier solutions. If the customer is interested, you may schedule a demo or a trial to have them test the product before they commit to a long term subscription contract.
A day in the life of a tech salesperson can vary widely, but the position itself is not unlike many other sales jobs. The primary difference is that tech salespeople work in one of the fastest growing (and profitable) fields around, using their sales skills to build relationships with clients.
Tech Sales Job Description
Technology sales professionals have a range of responsibilities. And while individual requirements vary between companies and positions, we compiled a list of general technology sales job descriptions and duties to help you get a better idea of what the job entails.
Networking
Networking is a huge part of technology sales, as deals often come in by word-of-mouth. When selling complex systems and technology products, building relationships with the right people can be extremely valuable. Making friends and speaking with prospects is a big part of the industry.
Working as a technology sales professional requires more than just smooth talk and strong deal-making skills. It’s a well-rounded career with many responsibilities, ultimately with customer satisfaction at its heart. At the end of the day, tech salespeople are problem solvers.
What Are the Required Skills for Tech Sales Careers?
How Much Do Tech Sales Professionals Make?
According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for technology sales professionals is $67,542. That’s impressive, especially when considering the added benefit of commission, which can be considerable. Plus, the average technology sales professional pockets an additional $10,000 to $30,000 in extra pay.
Additionally, some tech sales professionals make more. The top earners in the field take home over $80,000 before commission, and many make $100,000 or more after just a few years in the industry.
Technology Sales Manager
Technology salespeople can earn their way into a management role, where salaries average start around $80,000. Commission for sales manager positions is excellent, with the average professional earning an extra $20,000 in commission, and some earning more than $60,000 in extra pay. That’s up to $140,000 or more, depending on individual performance. Technology sales has the potential to be extremely lucrative, with comparatively little work experience or technical skill.
But keep in mind, a number of factors can influence technology sales salaries, chief among them are location, experience, and education. Below, we compiled a table of the average technology sales salaries in 15 large American metropolitan areas, which can give you a better idea of what to expect in your area.
| City | Average Salary |
| San Francisco, CA | $81,495 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $72,724 |
| Portland, OR | $67,362 |
| New York, NY | $70,376 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $66,539 |
| Seattle, WA | $73,924 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $62,475 |
| Atlanta, GA | $62,506 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $61,792 |
| Boston, MA | $73,020 |
| Miami, FL | $63,582 |
| Chicago, IL | $62,268 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,777 |
| Cleveland, OH | $60,002 |
| Dallas, TX | $64,967 |
$67,542
Mean Annual Salary
5.2%
Projected Job Growth (2014-2024)
50,000
Number Employed
Tech Sales Salary by Years of Experience- Average Salary
- Average Salary
How to Become a Tech Sales Professional
Despite the high salaries and good commission, technology sales isn’t actually the most difficult tech field to get into. Thanks to high demand, there are plenty of education options to get into the tech sales field.
People with previous sales experience may be able to find a job without additional education, though extensive training will be required. For people with limited sales experience, college and tech sales bootcamps offer a good path into the field.
Both college and bootcamps have their advantages and disadvantages. Nonetheless, how you perform in your job will likely mean more to the business than your specific educational background.
Plus, demand for qualified tech sales professionals is high. So high, in fact, that some sales bootcamps offer ‘fellowship’ programs that are completely free of charge and include a guaranteed job at the end. These programs are more common than ever, and offer a fast and direct route into a $50,000+ career.
Tech Sales Learning Paths
What Companies Are Hiring Tech Salespeople?
Tech Sales Positions: 318
Average Salary: $86,250
Average Commission: $52,000
Apple
Tech Sales Positions: 632
Average Salary: $92,600
Average Commission: $41,278
Amazon
Tech Sales Positions: 1380
Average Salary: $99,653
Average Commission: $72,444
Tech Sales Positions: 1050
Average Salary: $95,758
Average Commission: $61,307
2020 Best Tech Sales Bootcamps
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FAQ
Will coding bootcamp help me get a job?
Absolutely! Coding bootcamp is a proven way to train for a job in tech. Many coding bootcamps offer job guarantees, and some refund tuition if graduates can’t find a job in the field they trained for. In fact, coding bootcamp teaches skills that many college computer science graduates lack.
How much do coding bootcamps cost?
Coding bootcamp tuition varies. Coding bootcamps in New York City cost around $10,000 to $20,000. However, many scholarships and tuition deferment programs are available, so what you see doesn’t have to be what you pay.
What are income share agreements?
Income share agreements, or ISAs, are a new way to pay for education. These programs defer tuition until after students graduate and find a job in the industry. Once students are employed and making above a certain income threshold (usually $40-60,000 per year) they begin paying a fixed percent of their income, often for around 2 years. If students can’t find a job, many bootcamps waive the cost of tuition.
Do I have to learn coding to work in the tech industry?
You don’t have to learn coding to work in the tech industry. In fact, there are several non-coding bootcamps in New York City. These programs train you for a position in tech sales, marketing, or product management–all of which are well-paid positions with plenty of advancement opportunity.
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