Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
SOC Code: 41-4011
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products carries a 51% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $100,070 and +1.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 303,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 51% AI exposure, Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products sits 14 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 87% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products has ai exposure of 51%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products (SOC 41-4011) carries an AI exposure score of 51%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 303,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.9% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $100,070, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Prepare proposals, quotes, contracts, or presentations for potential solar customers.
- 2. Select solar energy products, systems, or services for customers based on electrical energy requirements, site conditions, price, or other factors.
- 3. Provide customers with information, such as quotes, orders, sales, shipping, warranties, credit, funding options, incentives, or tax rebates.
- 4. Gather information from prospective customers to identify their solar energy needs.
- 5. Calculate potential solar resources or solar array production for a particular site considering issues such as climate, shading, and roof orientation.
- 6. Generate solar energy customer leads to develop new accounts.
- 7. Provide technical information about solar power, solar systems, equipment, and services to potential customers or dealers.
- 8. Assess sites to determine suitability for solar equipment, using equipment such as tape measures, compasses, and computer software.
- 9. Negotiate prices or terms of sales or service agreements.
- 10. Take quote requests or orders from dealers or customers.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Persuasion
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Negotiation
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Design
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Building and Construction
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Economics and Accounting
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products?
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products has an AI exposure score of 51%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products is projected to grow by 1.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 303,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products?
Key skills for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products include Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Persuasion, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products earn?
The median annual wage for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products is $100,070, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products?
The typical entry-level education for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products?
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).