Salary guide
Wholesale Sales Representative Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What wholesale sales representatives earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median wholesale sales representative salary in the U.S. is $72,080 per year, or $34.65 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $39,090, while the top 10% earned more than $137,550.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Wholesale Sales Representative pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,090 | $18.79 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $50,470 | $24.26 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $72,080 | $34.65 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $99,640 | $47.90 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $137,550 | $66.13 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $50,470 | $72,080 | $99,640 |
| Per month | $4,206 | $6,007 | $8,303 |
| Every two weeks | $1,941 | $2,772 | $3,832 |
| Per week | $971 | $1,386 | $1,916 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects wholesale sales representative pay
- Commission, bonus and base-pay mix
- Product type (technical, financial and B2B sales usually pay more)
- Licenses such as state insurance or FINRA securities licenses
- Territory, customer base and track record
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a wholesale sales representative
- Get credentialed: Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR), Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Product certifications.
- Build specialty experience: Manage major accounts.
- Move up: roles such as regional sales manager and sales director typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Wholesale Sales Representative pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of wholesale sales representatives to change by -0.9% from 2025–35, little or no change compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 99,800 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 41-4012 (“Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Wholesale Sales Representative salary FAQ
How much does a wholesale sales representative make per hour?
The median hourly wage for wholesale sales representatives was $34.65 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $18.79 and the top 10% earned about $66.13 or more.
How much does a wholesale sales representative make a month?
At the median annual wage of $72,080, that works out to about $6,007 per month before taxes, or about $2,772 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a wholesale sales representative?
New wholesale sales representatives often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $39,090 and the 25th percentile was $50,470 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can wholesale sales representatives earn more?
Common ways include earning Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) and Certified Sales Professional (CSP), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as regional sales manager.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 41-4012 (Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.