Who Earns What

How much does a wholesale sales rep make?

US Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
$72,080

a year · about $35 an hour

A typical wholesale sales rep in the United States makes $72,080 a year, about $35 an hour, about 1.4× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

A rep may call a store buyer, show a sample or catalog, explain prices and delivery, and take an order. Later, they help solve a customer problem and update sales records.

Did you know? Some U.S. wholesale reps cover several states and may be away from home for days or weeks; others spend much of their time selling by phone.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$72,080
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $39,090 and $137,550
52 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the U.S., finish high school (often around 18); that is usually enough for nontechnical sales, with no related experience required. Employers train new hires; a license is not usually needed, and certification is optional.

School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree

Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., pay varies with the employer and products sold; many jobs add sales-based commissions or bonuses, so personal, team, or company results matter. Experience, useful skills, and credentials can matter too, though a license is generally not required and certification is optional. Location and hours also make a difference.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in Rhode Island ($82,420), lowest in Arkansas ($55,120).

See every state
Whole US$72,080
Rhode Island$82,420
District of Columbia$80,010
Washington$79,830
Massachusetts$79,810
New York$79,590
Hawaii$59,010
Alaska$56,830
Arkansas$55,120

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Wholesale sales rep pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$39,090$72,080$137,550about 1.2 million
States where wholesale sales reps earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Rhode Island$82,420about 5,000
District of Columbia$80,010about 560
Washington$79,830about 27,000
Massachusetts$79,810about 23,000
New York$79,590about 62,000

Official definition: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY