How Is The Job Market For Pharmaceutical Sales Rep?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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CNN Money predicted that

10-year job growth for PSRs will be 16.4 percent

, which is considerably above-average. Around 400,000 more pharmaceutical sales jobs will be created through 2022.

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.

How hard is it 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.

What is the job outlook for a medical sales representative?

Employment outlook for medical sales reps

Employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales reps is

projected to grow 2% from 2019 to 2029

, according to the BLS, with the employment of reps selling technical and scientific products growing 4% over the period.

Is pharmaceutical sales a good career?

According to Quint Careers, pharmaceuticals sales is considered

one of the fastest-growing career opportunities

, with a 300% growth rate in the last decade. In addition to fantastic job growth, these positions nationally average a salary of $64,000 (Glassdoor).

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.

How stressful is pharmaceutical 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 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.

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.

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.

Does the pharmaceutical industry pay well?


Pharmaceutical careers are highly lucrative

. When you establish your position in this industry, you open your doors to countless opportunities for growth and learning. People working in pharma get numerous benefits, as well as exceptional salaries. The job satisfaction and sense of achievement are also high.

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.

What is the demand for sales representatives?

Overall employment of wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is

projected to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030

, slower than the average for all occupations.

How do you get into pharmaceutical industry?

What to study to become a medical sales rep?

Employers of medical reps usually prefer graduates with relevant qualifications in

life sciences, pharmacy, medicine, nursing or dentistry

. These qualifications can be an advantage for medical sales positions requiring specific, technical knowledge.

Can you make a lot of money in pharmaceutical sales?


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.

Are pharmaceutical reps happy?

A whopping

80 percent say they’re happy with their pay

, and 80 percent say they’re happy with their job, overall. It’s easy to assume job satisfaction is linked to their high earnings. After all, the average total compensation for pharmaceutical sales professionals in 2018 is $133,563, as the survey found.

What do pharmaceutical 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 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.

Why are pharmaceutical sales reps attractive?

“Drug reps are cheerful, charming.

They provide both appreciation and information

. Unfortunately, the information they provide is innately unreliable.” Physicians respond by writing more prescriptions for the targeted drug, she said.

What is the top pharmaceutical company?

  • Johnson & Johnson:- $82.6 billion.
  • Roche: $58.3 billion.
  • Novartis: $49.9 billion.
  • Merck: $48 billion.
  • AbbVie: $45.8 billion.
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb: $42.5 billion.
  • Sanofi: $42.3 billion.
  • Pfizer: $41.9 billion.

Is medical sales College legit?

Medical Sales College is

a licensed college

specifically designed for those interested in the orthopedic device sales industry. It was founded in 2010 by Jim Rogers, the current CEO, who spent 25 years in sales and sales management roles.

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

.

What interests you most about a career in pharmaceutical sales?


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.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.