6211-NOC

Technical sales specialists - wholesale trade

(NOC 62100)
Annual Earnings
$66,739
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
College Diploma or Apprenticeship, 2 or more years
Job Openings
(2023-2033)
3,110

Career Overview

Technical sales specialists in wholesale trade sell a range of technical products, services and equipment. These can include electricity, telecommunications and computer services, as well as scientific, agricultural and industrial products. Their customers may include governments, industry and commercial businesses in Canada and around the world.

Technical sales specialists who are supervisors are included in this group.

Duties

Technical sales specialists in wholesale trade:

  • Specialize in a particular line of technical goods or services
  • Promote sales to existing clients
  • Look for new clients
  • Assess clients’ needs and recommend appropriate goods or services
  • Provide input into product design to help ensure their company’s offerings suit their customers’ needs
  • Develop reports and proposals to explain product benefits
  • Give sales presentations
  • Negotiate prices, terms of sale and service agreements
  • Estimate costs of installation and maintenance
  • Prepare and manage sales contracts
  • Work with clients to solve problems and provide ongoing support
  • Troubleshoot technical problems related to equipment 
  • Develop, implement and report on sales strategies to achieve business goals
  • Assess market conditions and competitors' activities and develop an awareness of emerging markets and trends
  • May supervise other staff
  • May train their clients’ staff to operate and maintain equipment

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$66,739

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$60.58/hr
Median$32.00/hr
Low$19.71/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2023 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

6,805

% Employed Full Time

77%
Source: 2021 Census

Technical sales specialists in wholesale trade work for suppliers of technical goods and services. These include pharmaceutical companies, industrial equipment manufacturers, computer services firms, engineering firms and hydroelectric companies. Some technical sales specialists are self-employed workers who contract out their service. 

People in this job often travel to meet with current or prospective customers. Workers who are employed by companies headquartered outside of B.C. often work from home.

Technical sales specialists work closely with people. They meet with clients by phone, by video conference and in person. They may also provide training to customers virtually or in person.

The work can be fast paced, with tight deadlines.

Career Pathways

Technical sales specialists can transfer their sales skills to other technical products or services. 

With additional training or experience, they may move into management or supervisory roles, such as technical sales supervisor.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Enterprising
Enterprising

Job Titles

Aircraft sales representative
Communication equipment sales representative
Construction equipment sales representative
Electricity sales representative
Heavy equipment sales representative
Industrial supplies sales representative
Medical instruments sales agent
Software sales representative
Technical sales representative
Technical sales supervisor
Technical support specialist - wholesale trade

Education, Training and Skills

Employers usually hire workers with a university degree or college diploma in a program related to their product or service. They may also expect employees to have experience in sales or in a technical role related to the product or service.

Technical sales specialists who work for companies that import or export their products may need to be fluent in another language. They may also need to have experience working or travelling abroad.

People in this job must have the technical knowledge needed to understand and explain their products. Some employers offer extensive in-house training programs.

Technical sales supervisors require experience as a technical sales specialist.

A driver's licence and a good driving record may be required.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Publishing
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

77%
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

73%
Persuasion

Convincing others to change their mind or behaviour.

72%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

70%
Negotiation

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

68%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

65%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

63%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

63%
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

60%
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

59%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

6,805
Source: 2021 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Employment % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 230 3.4%
Kootenay 85 1.2%
Mainland/Southwest 4,970 73.0%
North Coast and Nechako 20 0.3%
Northeast 85 1.2%
Thompson-Okanagan 705 10.4%
Vancouver Island/Coast 705 10.4%
Source: 2021 Census

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2023-2033)

3,110
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2023-2033)

Map of BC Map of BC highlighting Cariboo region Map of BC highlighting Kootenay region Map of BC highlighting Mainland/Southwest region Map of BC highlighting North Coast and Nechako region Map of BC highlighting Northeast region Map of BC highlighting Thompson-Okanagan region Map of BC highlighting Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 110 0.4%
Kootenay 40 0.2%
Mainland/Southwest 2,080 0.8%
North Coast and Nechako Not available Not available
Northeast 40 1.4%
Thompson-Okanagan 460 1.1%
Vancouver Island/Coast 390 1.1%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2023-2033)
Wholesale Trade1,650
Professional, Scientific And Technical Services250
Retail Trade250
Construction240
Manufacturing240
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, employment for technical sales specialists in wholesale trade fell in B.C. Wholesale trade has since rebounded and job opportunities are expected to stay strong going forward. 

In-person and online communication with clients is important to this work. So are phone skills, which continue to play a central role. 

Technical sales specialists often enjoy the satisfaction that comes from providing a product or service that successfully answers a client’s need.

Resources