Job Profile: Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
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Salary
According to the 2016 Pharma Sales Salary Report, the average yearly salary for PSRs in the United States is currently $122,107, with a mean base of $90,862. Specialty pharma reps earn higher salaries at $138,150 on average. Pharmaceutical sales representatives employed by small manufacturers make less at $119,933, but the highest paid work for large, multi-national manufacturers with an average compensation of $133,407 per year.Beginning Salary
New pharmaceutical sales representatives with less than two years of experience typically land on the lower end of the salary spectrum with annual income around $100,083. However, salary potential increases significantly with time. Pharma reps with 20+ years of experience bring home total compensation over $154,283 annually. Representatives who advance into executive positions like pharmaceutical sales VP make $200,455 on average.Key Responsibilities
Pharmaceutical sales representatives have the primary task of informing clinicians about the medical benefits of dosing patients with their company's product. They meet frequently with healthcare professionals to describe the drug's chemistry, uses, side effects, and potential interactions. Companies hire pharma reps to follow leads and target potential new customers within an assigned geographic region. They'll present at industry conferences, establish networking events, and conduct workshops to cultivate potential sales. Most pharmaceutical sales representatives specialize in promoting certain drug classes, such as analgesics, antibiotics, antidepressants, or beta blockers. PSRs are also responsible for administrative tasks like taking purchase orders, establishing new accounts, reviewing product literature, and resolving consumer complaints.Necessary Skills
Being successful in the fast-paced pharmaceutical sales world requires having exceptional interpersonal abilities. PSRs must have the verbal communication skills to objectively convey detailed statistics about and ingredients in medicines. Sales skills are essential for pharma reps to successfully gain purchase orders without seeming aggressive. Pharmaceutical sales representatives must possess scientific knowledge to know exactly how different drugs impact the human body's chemistry. It's important for PSRs to be organized enough to handle multiple contractors with great autonomy. Being self-motivated, polished, polite, and determined is a job requirement. Pharmaceutical sales representatives must also have the mental stamina to handle the pressure of sales quotas.Explore Online Healthcare Programs
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