What Does it Take to Be a Sales Engineer?
Sales Engineer Definition Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
A Day in the Life of a Sales Engineer
- Provide information needed for the development of custom-made machinery.
- Visit prospective buyers at commercial, industrial, or other establishments to show samples or catalogs, and to inform them about product pricing, availability, and advantages.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
- Attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.
- Develop sales plans to introduce products in new markets.
- Attend trade shows and seminars to promote products or to learn about industry developments.
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What Every Sales Engineer Should Know
These are the skills Sales Engineers say are the most useful in their careers:
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Types of Sales Engineer Jobs
- Sales Engineer
- Technical Account Manager
- Applications Engineer
- Field Marketing Representative
- Inside Sales Engineer
Sales Engineer Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 74,900 jobs in the United States for Sales Engineer. 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. There will be an estimated 8,300 positions for Sales Engineer per year.

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 typical yearly salary for Sales Engineers is somewhere between $58,430 and $165,350.

Sales Engineers who work in Delaware, Colorado, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sales Engineers make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Sales Engineers
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
Individuals working as a Sales Engineer have obtained the following education levels:

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

Sales Engineers Sector

Sales Engineers work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Sales Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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