How to Become a Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative?

Are you thinking of becoming a Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
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Steps to Become a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

If you're considering starting your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Pharmaceutical Sales Representative and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career path, a Bachelor's Degree in life sciences or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Pharmaceutical Sales Representative internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.

What type of degree should you pursue to become a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?

100% of people working as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative earned a Bachelor's Degree

What skills do you need to be a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?

  • Business Acumen
  • Influencing
  • Excellent Communication
  • Time Management
  • BS Degree
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • MS Office EXCEL
Based on resume data from Glassdoor users who reported working as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative in the United States.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Pharmaceutical Sales Representative field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Pharmaceutical Sales Representative specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in life sciences or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. In general, you can become a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Pharmaceutical Sales Representative role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in .
4

Advance in Your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Career

Following entry-level, there are several Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Pharmaceutical Sales Representative to progress to the senior pharmaceutical sales representative position. Each advanced Pharmaceutical Sales Representative position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Pharmaceutical Sales Representative career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in life sciences can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Bachelor's Degree typically make $99,640 compared to $41,077 for those without that type of degree.

Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative Career Path

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

2 - 4Years of Experience
$92K - $167K /yrMost Likely Range
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16% advanced to

Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

2 - 4Years of Experience
$103K - $182K /yrMost Likely Range
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Vice President of Sales

No Years of Experience Reports
$262K - $478K /yrMost Likely Range
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Total Pay Trajectory

Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative Career Path

Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Manager
Vice President of Sales
$80K
$170K
$260K
$350K
$530K
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Related Careers in the Sales Industry

Interested in other Sales careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative skills. Discover some of the most common Pharmaceuticals Sales Representative career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Sales Representative
13% skills overlap
20% transitioned to Sales Representative