Takeover Tracker
30%medium risk

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of post-secondary education.

Higher risk than 41% of occupations
Checking for existing plan...

How AI Impacts Each Task

36 tasks analyzed

Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.

Risk: 31.4%AI: 40.97ObservedTime: 3%

Prepare and submit sales contracts for orders.

Risk: 65.9%AI: 41.67ObservedTime: 2%

Visit establishments to evaluate needs or to promote product or service sales.

Risk: 19.0%AI: 10EstimatedTime: 3%

Sell service contracts for technical or scientific products.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 1%

Maintain customer records, using automated systems.

Risk: 61.7%AI: 31.17ObservedTime: 2%

Answer customers' questions about products, prices, availability, or credit terms.

Risk: 35.7%AI: 51.68ObservedTime: 3%

Quote prices, credit terms, or other bid specifications.

Risk: 66.9%AI: 44.33ObservedTime: 2%

Contact new or existing customers to discuss how specific products or services can meet their needs.

Risk: 30.5%AI: 38.8ObservedTime: 3%

Emphasize product features based on analyses of customers' needs and on technical knowledge of product capabilities and limitations.

Risk: 35.0%AI: 50ObservedTime: 3%

Compute customer's installation or production costs and estimate savings from new services, products, or equipment.

Risk: 55.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 2%

Demonstrate the operation or use of technical or scientific products.

Risk: 21.0%AI: 15EstimatedTime: 2%

Provide feedback to product design teams so that products can be tailored to clients' needs.

Risk: 51.0%AI: 60EstimatedTime: 1%

Select or assist customers in selecting products based on customer needs, product specifications, and applicable regulations.

Risk: 37.8%AI: 56.9ObservedTime: 2%

Prepare sales presentations or proposals to explain product specifications or applications.

Risk: 47.4%AI: 50.92ObservedTime: 2%

Complete expense reports, sales reports, or other paperwork.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 2%

Verify that delivery schedules meet project deadlines.

Risk: 85.2%AI: 90EstimatedTime: 1%

Identify prospective customers using business directories, leads from existing clients, participation in organizations, or trade show or conference attendance.

Risk: 68.5%AI: 48.35ObservedTime: 2%

Arrange for installation and testing of products or machinery.

Risk: 80.0%AI: 77EstimatedTime: 1%

Inform customers of estimated delivery schedules, service contracts, warranties, or other information pertaining to purchased products.

Risk: 64.1%AI: 37.28ObservedTime: 2%

Collaborate with colleagues to exchange information, such as selling strategies or marketing information.

Risk: 31.9%AI: 42.12ObservedTime: 2%

Initiate sales campaigns to meet sales and production expectations.

Risk: 53.0%AI: 65EstimatedTime: 2%

Provide customers with ongoing technical support.

Risk: 46.4%AI: 48.5ObservedTime: 2%

Advise customers on product usage to improve production.

Risk: 39.7%AI: 61.78ObservedTime: 2%

Obtain building blueprints or specifications for use by engineering departments in bid preparations.

Risk: 73.6%AI: 60.95ObservedTime: 1%

Verify accuracy of materials lists.

Risk: 86.0%AI: 92EstimatedTime: 1%

Verify customer credit ratings.

Risk: 88.0%AI: 97EstimatedTime: 1%

Appraise equipment to determine contract terms or trade-in values.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 1%

Consult with engineers regarding technical problems with products.

Risk: 47.0%AI: 50EstimatedTime: 2%

Sell technical and scientific products that are environmentally sound or designed for environmental remediation.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 1%

Study documentation or other information for new scientific or technical products.

Risk: 43.7%AI: 41.77ObservedTime: 2%

Stock or distribute resources, such as samples or promotional or educational materials.

Risk: 49.0%AI: 40EstimatedTime: 8%

Attend sales or trade meetings or read related publications to obtain information about market conditions, business trends, environmental regulations, or industry developments.

Risk: 47.4%AI: 51ObservedTime: 13%

Visit establishments, such as pharmacies, to determine product sales.

Risk: 36.1%AI: 52.73ObservedTime: 15%

Present information to customers about the energy efficiency or environmental impact of scientific or technical products.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 8%

Inform customers about issues related to responsible use and disposal of products, such as waste reduction or product or byproduct recycling or disposal.

Risk: 27.0%AI: 30EstimatedTime: 5%

Research and convey information to customers about tax benefits or government rebates associated with energy-efficient scientific or technical products, such as solar panels.

Risk: 55.0%AI: 70EstimatedTime: 3%

Skill Impact Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Information Ordering5%

Information Ordering is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Mathematics10%

Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

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)

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Adaptability/Flexibility85%

Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Service Orientation82%

Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Leadership88%

Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Recommended Courses

Courses matched to Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, 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

Courseraintermediate

Machine Learning Specialization

by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI

~10 weeks$49/mo4.9Certificate
Addresses vulnerability: Mathematics

Estimated Impact

-6.7pt risk+$5K/yr salary

AI-Augmentation Tools

Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity

Coursera

Creative Writing Specialization

by Wesleyan University

~8 weeks$49/mo4.7Certificate
Enhances AI augmentation: Writing

Estimated Impact

-5.2pt risk+$6K/yr salary

Strengthen Your Edge

Double down on skills AI can't replicate

Courseraintermediate

Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution

by ESSEC Business School

40 hours$49/mo4.7Certificate
Strengthens resilience: Negotiation

Estimated Impact

-3.9pt risk+$6K/yr salary

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.

Score History

Risk score over 2 scoring runs

-0.0

overall change

Education & Training

Percentage of workers at each education and training level

Education Level

High School Diploma14%
Some College14%
Post-Secondary Certificate30%
Bachelor's Degree39%
Master's Degree2%

Prior Experience Needed

Work experience required to enter this job

None1%
6 months - 1 year12%
1-2 years33%
2-4 years27%
4-6 years23%
6-8 years2%
Over 10 years2%

Training Provided After Hiring

How long it typically takes to learn on the job

Up to 1 month34%
1-3 months39%
3-6 months3%
6 months - 1 year20%
1-2 years2%
2-4 years1%
4-6 years2%

Related News

Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation

5 articles

OpenAI's Infrastructure Shift Threatens Cloud Engineering Jobs

OpenAI is reportedly pressuring Oracle over infrastructure demands, signaling a potential shift in how major AI models are hosted. This could disrupt thousands of cloud engineering and enterprise sales roles tied to legacy tech partnerships.

Where's Your Ed At6d ago

Hippocratic AI Fires International Sales Team, Exposing Further Cracks

The healthcare AI startup abruptly terminated its entire international sales division amid allegations of deceptive practices. The restructuring signals deep operational instability and serves as a warning for professionals joining hyped AI ventures.

AI Health UncutApr 22

B2B Sales Reps Face Pressure to Balance AI Automation with Buyer Trust

Enterprise sales teams are adopting AI to automate tasks and guide real-time pitches, but risk alienating buyers with impersonal outreach. Reps must now navigate the tension between hitting higher volume metrics and maintaining authentic client relationships.

CX TodayApr 22

AI Chatbots Reshape B2B Sales Roles as Algorithms Control Vendor Shortlists

New G2 research reveals that AI chatbots are now dictating B2B vendor shortlists, bypassing traditional sales outreach. B2B sales professionals must adapt their strategies as algorithms increasingly replace human-to-human initial pitches.

MarTechApr 17

AI Sales Tool Aims to Eliminate Admin Work for Field Reps

Showpad is rolling out an AI-native tool designed to handle administrative tasks and unify coaching for field sales. This automation threatens traditional sales support roles while requiring reps to adapt to AI-guided performance metrics.

NewsData AI & JobsApr 15

Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis