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What Does it Take to Be a Sales Engineer?

Job Description & Duties Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

Life As a Sales Engineer

  • Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.
  • Report to supervisors about prospective firms’ credit ratings.
  • Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.
  • Identify resale opportunities and support them to achieve sales plans.
  • Attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.
  • Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.

What Every Sales Engineer Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Sales Engineers say are important on the job.

Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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

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

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.

Other Sales Engineer Job Titles

  • Account Executive
  • Mechanical Equipment Sales Engineer
  • Marine Equipment Sales Engineer
  • Inside Sales Engineer
  • Product Support Engineer

Sales Engineer Job Outlook

In the United States, there were 74,900 jobs for Sales Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5,200 new jobs for Sales Engineer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 8,300 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Sales Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or New Mexico. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Sales Engineer

The average yearly salary of a Sales Engineer ranges between $58,430 and $165,350.

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Sales Engineers who work in Delaware, Colorado, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Sales Engineers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $87,350
Arizona $110,190
Arkansas $99,820
California $117,170
Colorado $129,560
Connecticut $90,690
Delaware $142,360
District of Columbia $118,600
Florida $112,600
Georgia $100,510
Hawaii $73,050
Idaho $124,300
Illinois $92,100
Indiana $102,320
Iowa $108,600
Kansas $90,410
Kentucky $91,660
Louisiana $90,470
Maine $88,680
Maryland $127,340
Massachusetts $107,590
Michigan $98,550
Minnesota $96,280
Mississippi $90,370
Missouri $91,830
Montana $96,530
Nebraska $84,600
Nevada $126,460
New Hampshire $113,050
New Jersey $104,590
New Mexico $92,130
New York $111,620
North Carolina $95,650
North Dakota $92,590
Ohio $93,940
Oklahoma $101,720
Oregon $106,990
Pennsylvania $97,680
Rhode Island $85,670
South Carolina $110,310
South Dakota $112,570
Tennessee $97,160
Texas $111,910
Utah $124,860
Virginia $139,620
Washington $120,940
West Virginia $86,360
Wisconsin $99,630

What Tools do Sales Engineers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sales Engineers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Python
  • Data entry software
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Linux
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • UNIX
  • PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
  • Oracle PeopleSoft

How to Become a Sales Engineer

Learn what Sales Engineer education requirements there are.

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What work experience do I need to become a Sales Engineer?

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Who Employs Sales Engineers?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Sales Engineers employed by various industries.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Sales Engineer may also be interested in:

References:

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