Sales Representative (Wholesale, Nontechnical)
Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives sell their organizations’ nontechnical goods and services to retail, commercial, industrial, and professional clients.
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Account Manager, Broker, Manufacturer’s Sales Representative, Sales Broker, Salesperson
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
The duties of wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives, or more simply sales reps, vary depending on the types of goods and services they sell. Sales reps may work for:
In general, sales reps:
Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives often work long or irregular hours. They may spend portions of each day travelling. They may be away from home for days at a time. They may have to carry bulky samples or heavy bundles of product catalogues. Sales reps may set up home offices and work remotely.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in persuading to promote sales to existing clients; in providing clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods and services; and in representing companies that export and import products or services to and from foreign countries
Interest in compiling information to identify and solicit potential clients
Interest in overseeing the preparation of sales and other contracts; may supervise the activities of other sales representatives
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives need:
They should enjoy meeting new people and selling goods or services. They should like identifying and approaching potential customers and building relationships. They should enjoy building agreement and overseeing the preparation of sales contracts.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 128 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 15, 2023 and Oct 04, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
Tasks: Identify and solicit potential clients | 105 |
---|---|
Construction Specialization: Client focus | 95 |
Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 92 |
Attention to detail | 87 |
Construction Specialization: Organized | 86 |
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 80 |
Construction Specialization: Team player | 72 |
Construction Specialization: Initiative | 71 |
Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 69 |
Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 66 |
The minimum education requirement for wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives (sales reps) is a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer to hire people with related experience or a business-related post-secondary diploma or degree. Basic computer skills and a valid driver’s license are definite assets.
Many large organizations have some form of training program for newly hired sales reps. They may train new employees by:
Sales reps must keep up with new products, services, and sales methods. They must stay current with technological and other changes affecting their customers’ companies.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives (sales reps) work for companies such as:
Advancement for experienced sales reps may involve transfers to better sales territories. This may mean territories that are larger, have greater sales opportunities, or have larger annual expenditures.
Successful sales reps may stay in sales or advance to sales management positions. They may also move into marketing or become independent manufacturers’ agents (sell the products of more than one manufacturer).
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)
2016 NOC: 6411
79.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Earnings for wholesale, nontechnical sales representatives vary greatly. They are often directly related to job performance. Most employers offer a combination of salary plus commission or bonus. As a result, many individuals in this profession earn a commission-based income.
A commission is a percentage of the price of each article or service sold. Bonuses may be tied to individual performance, the performance of all sales reps in a group, or the company’s performance overall.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $16.00 | $40.87 | $25.41 | $23.08 |
Overall | $19.00 | $57.07 | $36.79 | $33.88 |
Top | $21.79 | $96.15 | $52.07 | $43.83 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
ALL INDUSTRIES | $74,113 |
---|---|
Agriculture | $43,903 |
Construction | $74,295 |
Manufacturing | $68,846 |
Wholesale Trade | $77,961 |
Retail Trade | $62,513 |
Transportation and Warehousing | $75,921 |
Information, Culture, Recreation | $57,990 |
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $77,623 |
Business, Building and Other Support Services | $55,183 |
Accommodation & Food Services | $46,553 |
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $77,287 |
Public Administration | $61,504 |
Canadian Professional Sales Association website: www.cpsa.com
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Updated Mar 31, 2022. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.