Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
AI Impact Summary
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 31/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 45% of all analyzed occupations. Of 20 analyzed tasks, 4 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Google UX Design Professional Certificate
by Google
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Inspired Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
by Case Western Reserve University
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
20 tasks analyzed
Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders.
Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests.
Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms.
Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates.
Train customers' employees to operate and maintain new equipment.
Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support.
Provide customers with product samples and catalogs.
Prepare sales contracts and order forms.
Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences.
Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs.
Negotiate details of contracts and payments.
Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales.
Forward orders to manufacturers.
Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising.
Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports.
Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising.
Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary.
Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment.
Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients.
Obtain credit information about prospective customers.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contact regular and prospective customers to demonstrate products, explain product features, and solicit orders. | 45.25Observed | 33.1% | 15% | |
| Recommend products to customers, based on customers' needs and interests. | 63.3Observed | 40.3% | 10% | |
| Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, product uses, and credit terms. | 53.95Observed | 36.6% | 10% | |
| Estimate or quote prices, credit or contract terms, warranties, and delivery dates. | 47.52Observed | 68.2% | 5% | |
| Train customers' employees to operate and maintain new equipment. | 15Estimated | 21.0% | 2% | |
| Consult with clients after sales or contract signings to resolve problems and to provide ongoing support. | 28.67Observed | 26.5% | 8% | |
| Provide customers with product samples and catalogs. | 59.72Observed | 56.9% | 3% | |
| Prepare sales contracts and order forms. | 48.85Observed | 68.7% | 5% | |
| Identify prospective customers by using business directories, following leads from existing clients, participating in organizations and clubs, and attending trade shows and conferences. | 46.55Observed | 33.6% | 8% | |
| Prepare drawings, estimates, and bids that meet specific customer needs. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Negotiate details of contracts and payments. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor market conditions, product innovations, and competitors' products, prices, and sales. | 51.8Observed | 47.7% | 4% | |
| Forward orders to manufacturers. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Negotiate with retail merchants to improve product exposure, such as shelf positioning and advertising. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Perform administrative duties, such as preparing sales budgets and reports, keeping sales records, and filing expense account reports. | 43.88Observed | 66.8% | 5% | |
| Plan, assemble, and stock product displays in retail stores, or make recommendations to retailers regarding product displays, promotional programs, and advertising. | 53.25Observed | 30.3% | 3% | |
| Check stock levels and reorder merchandise as necessary. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Arrange and direct delivery and installation of products and equipment. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 2% | |
| Buy products from manufacturers or brokerage firms and distribute them to wholesale and retail clients. | 67Estimated | 76.0% | 2% | |
| Obtain credit information about prospective customers. | 44.45Observed | 67.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 30.4%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$66,780
per year
Mean Wage
$81,470
per year
Employment
1.3M
workers
Wage Range
$37,860 - $134,470
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
See all transitionsWholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
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Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
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Real Estate Sales Agents
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Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Advertising Sales Agents
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Higher risk than 48% of other occupations
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
33%Median salary: $66,700
Higher risk than 55% of other occupations
Real Estate Brokers
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Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Private Detectives and Investigators
33%Median salary: $52,370
Higher risk than 56% of other occupations
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
36%Median salary: $76,650
Higher risk than 69% of other occupations
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
38%Higher risk than 75% of other occupations
Retail Salespersons
39%Median salary: $34,580
Higher risk than 79% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Negotiation
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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