Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative: diploma or a degree that matches the product, then company training
For products that are not scientific or technical, a high school diploma is generally enough. Representatives of scientific and technical products, such as pharmaceuticals, medical instruments or industrial equipment, typically need at least a bachelor's degree. Company training programs may last up to 1 year.
For: Self-starters who like travel, meeting business clients and being paid for results.
Route 1: High school diploma → company training → own territory Nontechnical products
New employees may ride along on experienced workers' sales calls and get more responsibility until they have their own territory.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Up to 1 year
Company training program
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Sales representative with a territory
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Bachelor's related to the product → technical sales Scientific or technical products
A field of degree related to the product sold, such as agriculture or biology, is sometimes required.
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Start here
High school diploma
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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About 4 years
Bachelor's degree related to the product
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Training
Formal technical instruction, then field training
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Technical and scientific products sales rep
Good sales records and leadership may lead to sales manager, district manager or vice president of sales.
Sales managerBLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- Sales certification
Professional associations · Voluntary - Not required; some representatives choose to earn professional certification.
BLS
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
What the job is, BLS pay and job outlook, and how to become one.