Medical Sales Jobs: A Definitive Career Guide

With more and more technologies emerging in the medical field, such as medical 3D printing, artificial intelligence (AI), and mRNA pharmaceutical drugs, companies need a reliable way to get their products into the right hands. In medical sales jobs, sales representatives sell medicines and devices to hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities.

Medical sales representative jobs provide high earning potential because you’ll typically have a base salary plus compensation for bonuses and/or commissions. Therefore, developing good sales skills can help you succeed in this role. Explore the medical sales profession and learn how to start this career.

What are medical sales jobs?

Medical sales representatives focus on selling and marketing medical products, such as pharmaceutical drugs, equipment, and devices, to hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. 

Medical sales representatives are responsible for a specific region or territory like other salespeople. They may serve as either inside or outside sales representatives. Inside sales reps sell products to new and ongoing customers remotely and answer any customer service questions. Outside sales reps travel to meet new and existing customers, educate them on new products, and ensure quality service.

Medical sales jobs also include independent sales representatives serving several businesses selling medical products.

Tasks and responsibilities

While your specific tasks and responsibilities will vary depending on your sales specialisation, medical sales jobs typically have the following duties:

• Assess client needs and offer the right products and services

• Market medical products to health care facilities, such as providing information and offering samples

• Establish and maintain good relationships with staff and customers 

• Correspond with customers on the phone, by email, or in person to take orders 

• Keep records of sales orders, customers, and products

• Educate customers about new product launches, technologies, and developments in the field

• Identify new opportunities to increase product sales

• Resolve customer concerns

• Attend sales meetings, training sessions, and conferences to keep up with the latest trends

• Plan work schedules with the sales team and discuss future targets with the area sales manager

Where they work

Medical sales jobs can vary depending on whether the representative works inside or outside sales. Inside sales representatives may work from home or in an office setting. They interact with clients over the phone or email, though sometimes they conduct in-person meetings to negotiate and close a sale. Outside medical sales, reps tend to have more flexible schedules but often travel to meet customers within their territory.

Skills needed

In a medical sales job, you must explain the benefits and side effects of different medicines, acquire and keep new customers, and manage your time between sales calls, meetings, and records. To become a medical sales representative, you'll benefit from the following skills:

• Medical product knowledge

• Customer service skills

• Strong verbal and written communication

• Resilience

• Active listening

• Research skills

• Adaptability

• Negotiation and persuasion skills

• Time management

• Driving licence and good driving record

• Initiative

Salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, medical sales representatives in the UK earn an average annual base salary of £36,087, with a chance to earn more when adding commission and bonuses [1]. 

Because medical sales reps receive a commission with each sale and performance-based bonuses, the pay structure offers an appealing job benefit. Outside sales reps who spend a lot of time in the field talking to potential customers, educating doctors on prescription drugs, and offering product samples, have the opportunity to maximise their potential earnings with higher commissions and bonuses. 

Types of medical sales jobs 

The different types of medical sales jobs depend on the product or service being sold. As mentioned, you can be an inside or outside sales rep, depending on the type of company you work for.

As a sales representative, you’ll likely specialise in selling specific products:

• Pharmaceutical sales: As a sales representative, you’ll recommend certain drugs to physicians at medical centres and hospitals.

• Medical devices: Those with a medical or technical background may be more suited to medical device sales, which can require giving product demonstrations and tracking clinical sales records. This could include artificial intelligence (AI) or other specialised, high-tech machines.

One key benefit of medical sales jobs: Flexibility

Many people enjoy the flexibility that medical sales offers. Whether you’re taking calls from home or travelling to meet new customers, you may have the ability to create your own hours and even hold a side job.

How to become a medical sales representative

If you think a medical sales job could fit your career and lifestyle well, then explore these steps.

1. Earn a degree.

To become a medical sales representative, consider earning a degree in a science-related field like: 

• Biology

• Biomedical sciences

• Medical engineering

• Pharmacy

As an alternative, take a more business-related approach and get your degree in:

• Business

• Sales and marketing

Requirements for entering a degree programme typically include:

• 4 to 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or the equivalent, including English, maths, and science

• 2 to 3 A levels or the equivalent

2. Do an apprenticeship

It is possible to do a paid apprenticeship with a company to learn on the job. Companies that might offer apprenticeships include medical product distributors, medical equipment manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies. 

The Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeship lasts 18 months, and it helps build various skills to prepare you for a career in sales. Some of these include:

• Customer engagement

• Management of the customer experience

• Negotiation

• Sales closure

• Sales forecasting

Requirements for entering this apprenticeship programme typically include 4 to 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels or the equivalent.

Boost your sales knowledge today.

Knowing more about medical sales jobs and their requirements can help you decide if this career plan works for you. Taking an online sales class on Coursera can provide even more information and help boost your sales skills.

Hubspot offers Sales Training for High Performing Teams Specialisation, as part of their Sales Training: Building Your Sales Career course, which teaches the fundamentals of inside sales, discusses active vs. passive buyers, offers advice for succeeding in sales, and more. This course takes just ten hours to complete, and you can learn at your own pace.