Occupation · SOC 41-9099
Sales and Related Workers, All Other
All sales and related workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$46,370
$28,060–$95,850
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
99,070
Job Zone —
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningPersuasionSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingNegotiation
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceSales and MarketingEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementMathematics
Technology & tools
Document management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareInternet browser softwareComputer aided design CAD software
Representative tasks
Prepare documents such as representation contracts, purchase agreements, closing statements, deeds, and leases.Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration.Act as an intermediary in negotiations between buyers and sellers, generally representing one or the other.Contact businesses or private individuals by telephone to solicit sales for goods or services, or to request donations for charitable causes.Confer with escrow companies, lenders, home inspectors, and pest control operators to ensure that terms and conditions of purchase agreements are met before closing dates.Generate lists of properties that are compatible with buyers' needs and financial resources.Explain products or services and prices and demonstrate use of products.Explain products or services and prices, and answer questions from customers.Obtain customer information such as name, address, and payment method, and enter orders into computers.Sell, for a fee, real estate owned by others.Promote sales of properties through advertisements, open houses, and participation in multiple listing services.Record names, addresses, purchases, and reactions of prospects contacted.Develop, present, or respond to proposals for specific customer requirements, including request for proposal responses and industry-specific solutions.Compare a property with similar properties that have recently sold to determine its competitive market price.Coordinate property closings, overseeing signing of documents and disbursement of funds.Maintain records of contacts, accounts, and orders.Provide product samples, coupons, informational brochures, or other incentives to persuade people to buy products.Sell products being promoted and keep records of sales.Obtain agreements from property owners to place properties for sale with real estate firms.Keep areas neat while working and return items to correct locations following demonstrations.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Customer greetings and initial inquiries — deliver courteously and consistently under supervisor guidance on a retail sales floor.Product pricing and display — inspect and verify accuracy under direct supervision in a storefront or showroom environment.Customer complaints — recognize and escalate promptly to a senior associate when resolution exceeds personal authority.Sales floor merchandise — confirm that items function as advertised by following a standard checklist provided by management.Cash receipts and point-of-sale transactions — reconcile basic totals under close oversight during end-of-shift procedures.Active listening techniques — apply during customer interactions to identify needs and relay information to senior staff.Internet browser software — use to look up product specifications and inventory data when assisting customers on the floor.Written communications — read and comprehend internal memos, product guides, and policy documents to support daily tasks.Sales activity logs — record customer interactions and outcomes accurately using document management software as directed.Basic mathematics — apply when calculating discounts, totals, or change amounts during routine sales transactions.
developing
Customer service interactions — manage independently across greeting, inquiry, and complaint resolution in a moderate-traffic retail environment.Merchandise pricing and shelf displays — audit routinely and correct discrepancies without requiring supervisory intervention.Sales activity monitoring — track individual customer service quality indicators and flag recurring issues to management.Small sales team coordination — direct and support peers during busy periods, ensuring coverage and task completion on the floor.Persuasion and negotiation skills — apply during customer consultations to close sales and address objections in familiar product categories.Desktop publishing and graphics software — use to prepare promotional materials and simple visual displays supporting in-store campaigns.Inventory reconciliation — participate in regular stock counts and assist in identifying shrinkage or discrepancy patterns.Social perceptiveness — read customer cues and adjust communication style to improve satisfaction and conversion rates.Product knowledge — build and apply across assigned categories to provide accurate, confident recommendations to customers.Sales and marketing principles — apply foundational concepts when contributing to floor promotions and upselling strategies.
proficient
Customer service quality — oversee across the full sales floor, proactively identifying and resolving service gaps without managerial direction.Merchandise compliance — conduct thorough audits ensuring all goods are correctly priced, properly displayed, and perform as advertised.Employee sales activities — supervise and evaluate team members engaged in selling, inventory, and cash reconciliation in a multi-associate environment.Non-routine customer complaints — resolve independently using negotiation and critical thinking skills to achieve satisfactory outcomes.Sales performance data — analyze trends and generate actionable recommendations using document management and spreadsheet tools.Web page creation and editing software — use to update product listings and promotional content on company digital channels.Staffing and workflow — schedule and assign floor responsibilities to ensure adequate coverage during peak and off-peak periods.Economics and accounting knowledge — apply when interpreting sales margins, evaluating pricing strategies, and reporting financial results.Cross-functional coordination — liaise with purchasing, logistics, and marketing teams to align floor operations with broader business goals.Training delivery — coach new associates on customer service protocols, POS systems, and compliance standards in a structured on-the-job setting.
advanced
Organizational sales strategy — define and implement direction for the sales team aligned with company revenue and customer experience objectives.Performance standards — establish measurable benchmarks for customer service quality, merchandise compliance, and sales productivity across the operation.Team development — mentor developing and proficient associates through structured feedback, career planning, and progressive responsibility assignments.Policy and procedure design — author and update operational guidelines governing inventory, cash handling, and customer escalation processes.CAD and advanced software tools — champion adoption of technology solutions that improve merchandising layout, workflow efficiency, and reporting accuracy.Market and competitive intelligence — synthesize industry data and customer feedback to inform pricing, assortment, and promotional decisions at scale.Vendor and partner negotiations — lead high-stakes discussions with suppliers and service providers to secure favorable terms and quality standards.Budget and resource allocation — oversee departmental financial planning, balancing labor costs, inventory investment, and marketing spend.Organizational culture — model and reinforce values of dependability, achievement orientation, and customer-first service across all levels of the sales team.Stakeholder reporting — present sales operations outcomes, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and external partners.
Also known as
72 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Wedding CoordinatorMembership SolicitorDrapery And Upholstery EstimatorSales AssistantComparison ShopperCollectorField RepresentativeCoin CollectorSales CoordinatorMystery ShopperStamp AnalystStamp ClassifierSales SpecialistGift WrapperDrapery and Upholstery MeasurerCustomer-Service ClerkAdvertisement DistributorWedding PlannerStore Gift Wrap AssociateLinen ControllerDrapery And Upholstery MeasurerTerritory ManagerProfessional ShopperDonor Relations OfficerPawnbrokerBid AnalystShorerGroup Sales RepresentativeCustomer Service ClerkDrapery and Upholstery EstimatorApparel Stock CheckerCompetitive ShopperContact PersonCirculation ManMeasurerFund RaiserVending Machine OperatorMemorial CounselorLeaflet DistributorSoliciting Freight Agent