Are Pharmacutical Reps Paid By Commission?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Years of Experience. Experience is a major factor in determining the salary of a pharmaceutical sales rep. That’s because

the job is largely commission-based

, so you earn more money the more sales you close.

Do pharmaceutical sales reps make a lot of money?


In 2019, the average rep salary was $151,217

, which includes an average base salary of $109,250 and an average bonus of $41,967. That’s a 6% increase, or almost $8,000, over the average salary for pharma sales reps from MedReps’ 2018 survey.

How are medical sales reps compensated?

In fact, according to Med Reps’ recent salary survey, the median total compensation for a medical sales rep is $149,544, with an average base salary of $92,698 and an average bonus of $63,318 in 2018. That means

an average 68 percent increase in payout simply because of commission on making sales

.

Is being a pharmaceutical sales rep worth it?


The job of a pharmaceutical sales representative is a highly desired one

. With a high salary, excellent benefits and perks, and the potential for growth, it’s easy to see why. In fact, on average, pharmaceutical sales reps earn $103,300 each year, not including commissions.

Is it hard to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?

It’s a reality for pharmaceutical company representatives. But the work isn’t pure glamour. It’s also

intense, highly competitive and sometimes frustrating

. Insiders say it’s difficult to get your foot in the door with a drug company, and that it’s challenging to excel once you’ve landed that first sales job.

How much did Purdue Pharma reps make?

The typical Purdue Pharma Sales Representative salary is

$89,218 per year

. Sales Representative salaries at Purdue Pharma can range from $74,209 – $109,181 per year.

What is a typical day for a pharmaceutical sales rep?

Day-to-day duties vary based on the company they work for, the territory they are assigned to, and the medications they are representing. However, typical responsibilities include:

Scheduling meetings with medical professionals

. Educating medical professionals about the effectiveness, use, and side effects of drugs.

What is the highest paying medical sales job?

At first glance, it appears the top earners are

Sales Directors and VPs working in biotech

. After all, according to the 2016 Medical Sales Salary Report, Sales Director / VP is the highest paid job title (average total $209,082), and biotech is the highest paying product category (average total $165,028).

What sales jobs pay the most?

  • Pharmaceutical sales representative. …
  • Direct sales representative. …
  • Business development representative. …
  • Sales engineer. …
  • Sales professional. …
  • Sales manager. …
  • Real estate agent. National average salary: $107,989 per year. …
  • Vice president of sales. National average salary: $110,945 per year.

How much do Medtronic pacemaker reps make?

The average Medtronic Sales Rep earns an estimated

$148,899 annually

, which includes an estimated base salary of $80,024 with a $68,875 bonus. Medtronic’s Sales Rep compensation is $38,381 more than the US average for a Sales Rep. Sales Rep salaries at Medtronic can range from $43,250 – $260,000.

How much do top medical sales reps make?

The salaries of Medical Sales Reps in the US range from

$15,237 to $402,999

, with a median salary of $73,353 . The middle 57% of Medical Sales Reps makes between $73,353 and $182,876, with the top 86% making $402,999.

How stressful is medical device sales?

Stress. Medical sales jobs also come with

considerable stress

. Some respondents specifically cited stress caused by the pressure to make quotas, while others mentioned stress caused by the increasing difficulty of gaining vendor clearances.

What do pharma reps wear?

Their clothes should be fresh, neat, clean and pressed. The reps should be well-groomed, paying attention to hair, face and nails. Do the pharmaceutical reps need to dress in

formal business attire such as suit and tie for men and skirted suits or matching pants suits for women

?

How difficult is medical sales?

While it’s true that medical sales is a highly competitive field and

the workload is demanding

, if you’re up to the challenge, it’s possible to begin building your career and making a name for yourself almost immediately. It’s important to understand, though, that unlike other fields, medical sales is a journey.

What doctors want from sales reps?

Providers are very interested in

clinical information about a drug including indications, dosage regimens, strengths, duration of therapy, mode of administration, and side effect profile

. Also, doctors are interested in any new studies or published articles related to their patient-types.

Are pharmaceutical reps in demand?

According to James Crowley, managing director of life sciences strategy at Accenture Life Sciences, a global consulting firm, well-trained, digitally savvy pharmaceutical sales representatives

will continue to be in demand well into the foreseeable future

.

How do I break into pharmaceutical sales?

  1. Earn your high school diploma or GED.
  2. Get a bachelor’s degree.
  3. Consider earning a graduate degree.
  4. Get certified.
  5. Network.
  6. Work on your skillset.
  7. Prepare your resume and cover letter.

How long does it take to complete pharmaceutical sales training?

The PRC program takes on average about

4 weeks

(12 hours course time) to complete. It’s self-paced, so everyone will be different.

How much did Purdue Pharma reps make with OxyContin?

According to the statement of facts from the 2007 plea agreement, Purdue made about

$2.8 billion

in revenue from OxyContin from January 1996 to the middle of 2001. Bankruptcy filings from last year show members of the Sackler family have made $12 to $13 billion from Purdue.

Is OxyContin still prescribed?

OxyContin, a trade name for the narcotic oxycodone hydrochloride, is a painkiller

available in the United States only by prescription

. OxyContin is legitimately prescribed for relief of moderate to severe pain resulting from injuries, bursitis, neuralgia, arthritis, and cancer.

How rich is the Sackler family?

THE Sackler family is one of the richest in America – worth a whopping

$13billion

. They are best known for being at the center of the US opioid crisis, and former Purdue Pharma boss Richard Sackler had a leading role.

Are pharmaceutical reps smart?

Drug reps today are often young, well groomed, and strikingly good-looking. Many are women. They are usually affable and

sometimes very smart

.

Is pharmaceutical sales ethical?

Through an investigator-designed questionnaire, the ethical problems perceived by 215 pharmaceutical sales representatives were quantitatively analyzed.

Nearly all of the participants (96.7%) reported that they had faced ethical dilemmas in marketing drugs to physicians

.

Why do I want to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?


a passion for sales and an enthusiasm for science or medicine

. the opportunity to use your resourcefulness, energy and knowledge to persuade clients to buy your products. the daily challenges and the dynamic nature of the industry provide excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth.

What is the difference between medical sales and pharmaceutical sales?

This is probably the biggest difference between pharmaceutical and medical sales. In Medical sales, there is a true close. With pharmaceutical sales, the reps’ job is to convince their doctors to prescribe their product when they have a patient that could benefit from it.

Is medical sales a good career?


Yes, medical sales is a good career option

. Medical sales is a thriving and exciting industry. This is largely due to the continual progress in medical technology and a growing population’s increased demand for healthcare products.

How much do Synthes reps make?

The average DePuy Synthes Sales Rep earns an estimated

$177,364 annually

, which includes an estimated base salary of $96,319 with a $81,045 bonus. DePuy Synthes’ Sales Rep compensation is $66,846 more than the US average for a Sales Rep.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.