What Does it Take to Be a Sales Engineer?
Sales Engineer Example Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.
Sales Engineer Responsibilities
- Diagnose problems with installed equipment.
- Create sales or service contracts for products or services.
- Attend company training seminars to become familiar with product lines.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentations that explain products or services to customers and prospective customers.
- Provide technical and non-technical support and services to clients or other staff members regarding the use, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
- Sell products requiring extensive technical expertise and support for installation and use, such as material handling equipment, numerical-control machinery, or computer systems.
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Things a Sales Engineer Should Know How to Do
When polled, Sales Engineers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles
- Technical Account Manager
- Sales Engineer, Account Manager
- Nuclear Equipment Sales Engineer
- Aeronautical Products Sales Engineer
- Sales Specialist
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. 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.
Sales Engineer Salary
The salary for Sales Engineers ranges between about $58,430 and $165,350 a year.

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 do I Become a Sales Engineer?
Are there Sales Engineers education requirements?

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

Where do Sales Engineers Work?

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

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
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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