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Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

(NOC 64101)
Annual Earnings
$68,825
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
High School Diploma
Job Openings
(2024-2034)
4,080

Career Overview

Sales representatives, wholesale trade (non-technical):

  • Sell non-technical goods and services to retail, wholesale, commercial, industrial, professional and other clients domestically and internationally
  • Work for establishments that produce or provide goods and services, such as petroleum companies; food, beverage and tobacco producers; clothing manufacturers; motor vehicles and parts manufacturers; hotels; business services firms; and transportation companies

 

Job Titles

Advertising time sales representative
Food products sales representative
Freight sales agent
Graphic design sales representative
Hotel accommodations sales executive
Liquor sales representative
Magazine sales representative
Oil distributor
Security services sales consultant
Transfer company agent
Wholesale trade representatives supervisor

Duties

Sales representatives, wholesale trade (non-technical), perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Promote sales to existing clients
  • Identify and solicit potential clients
  • Provide clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods or services
  • Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties and delivery dates
  • Prepare or oversee preparation of sales or other contracts
  • Talk to clients after sale or signed contracts to solve problems and to provide ongoing support
  • Review and adapt to information regarding product innovations, competitors and market conditions
  • Represent companies that export and import products or services to and from foreign countries
  • May conduct sales transactions through internet-based electronic commerce
  • May supervise the activities of other sales representatives

 

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$68,825

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$54.67/hr
Median$33.00/hr
Low$19.50/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2024 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

9,265

% Employed Full Time

66%
Source: 2021 Census

Work generally takes place in a conventional indoor setting.

 

Career Pathways

Progression to sales management positions is possible with additional training or experience.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising
Conventional
Conventional

Education, Training and Skills

 

  • Completion of secondary school is required
  • A university degree or completion of a college or other program may be required
  • Experience in sales or in an occupation related to the product or service is usually required
  • Fluency in a foreign language and/or foreign country work or travel experience may be required for sales representatives seeking employment with companies that import or export goods or services
  • Supervisors and senior sales representatives require experience
  • Voluntary certification is available from the Canadian Professional Sales Association

 

Education programs in B.C.

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Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

76%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

71%
Persuasion

Convincing others to change their mind or behaviour.

71%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

9,265
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 165 1.8%
Kootenay 150 1.6%
Mainland/Southwest 6,815 73.6%
North Coast and Nechako 60 0.6%
Northeast 55 0.6%
Thompson-Okanagan 1,015 11.0%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,000 10.8%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)

4,080
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)

Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 40 -0.3%
Kootenay 60 0.6%
Mainland/Southwest 3,130 1.3%
North Coast and Nechako 20 0.7%
Northeast 30 1.1%
Thompson-Okanagan 470 0.8%
Vancouver Island/Coast 340 0.0%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2024-2034)
Wholesale Trade1,860
Manufacturing540
Retail Trade350
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services330
Information, Culture and Recreation190
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Resources

Resource information is currently not available.