Working sales jobs can launch you into a profitable career in the UK. In addition to educating consumers about goods and services, salespeople also establish rapport with clients, conclude deals, guarantee continued customer pleasure, and carry out other tasks that have a direct effect on business profits. You can acquire transferable skills like effective communication and relationship development by working in this profession.
Businesses in the UK must successfully market a product or service if they want to succeed, regardless of the industry they work in. A key factor in this success is having talented salespeople. Finding sales industry statistics can be challenging because the sector is frequently combined with other economic sectors like marketing or retail. However, as of the second quarter of 2024, the UK has about 930,300 sales, marketing, and related associate workers, according to Statista. Indeed, it is estimated that almost one out of every six workers works in sales, either directly or indirectly.
10 Best Sales Jobs to Consider in the UK
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Inside Sales Representative
An inside sales representative in the United Kingdom earns $58,308 a year as the average salary. New sales leads discovered through directories, online resources, or customer recommendations are cold-called by an inside sales agent. They cultivate connections with potential clients in order to secure new business and preserve connections with current clients. Instead of working in person, the majority of an inside sales representative’s work is done remotely.
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Sales Assistant
The average pay nationwide for a sales assistant is $59,861 per year. By keeping databases up to date, sales assistants assist sales teams. This entails discussing promotions and price changes, updating contact information and invoicing data, creating sales-tracking reports, buying goods, setting up shipments, fixing inventory issues, and planning and scheduling sales training. They might also help with data entry and other administrative duties like filing.
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Account Manager
The average pay for an account manager in the UK is $69,649 per year. To make sure the business is satisfying the demands of its current clients or groups of clients, an account manager keeps in touch with them. They plan frequent check-ins and meetings, make recommendations for new goods or services, respond to queries and worries from clients, provide performance reviews, and strive to maintain client satisfaction.
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Territory Sales Professional
Territory sales professionals in the UK earn up to $75,593 yearly. Within a specific geographic area, territory salespeople are in charge of all sales activity. They find possible opportunities, set up in-person meetings with clients and prospects, inform clients about goods and services, and assist clients in making judgments about what to buy. Typically, they oversee enduring client connections.
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Business Development Representative
The average pay for this role in the UK is $62,079 a year. A business development representative’s main responsibilities include researching new markets and prospects to ascertain if the sales team should pursue them and assisting the company in locating new business leads. In order to expand the company and raise the possibility of future sales, they assist in establishing connections with new customers and prospects.
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Account Executive
The average pay nationwide is $72,603 yearly. Account executives serve as the company’s point of contact with its clients and are typically employed by media outlets or marketing and advertising firms. They oversee daily communications, make sure campaigns are proceeding as planned, give performance and progress updates, and offer recommendations for enhancements. They might also work on contract renewals and sell more services.
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Outside Sales Representative
The average pay for this role is $83,085 a year. An outside sales representative arranges meetings to make product and service pitches and assists in locating new sales prospects. In order to influence purchasing decisions, they also provide clients with information and respond to inquiries. They use frequent communication to guarantee client satisfaction and bargain over prices. Outside sales personnel interact directly with clients at their place of business, in contrast to inside sales representatives.
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Pharmaceutical Sales Agent
A pharmaceutical sales agent in the UK earns an average yearly income of $76,028. Pharmaceutical sales agents sell drugs to doctors and other key decision-makers within healthcare organizations on behalf of drug manufacturers. They respond to inquiries to make sure physicians have the knowledge they need to prescribe pharmaceutical items and offer samples and marketing materials to raise awareness of them.
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Medical Devices Sales Representative
The average pay for this role is $78,514 a year. Medical sales agents market and inform healthcare professionals about a range of medical products, from everyday necessities like gloves and tongue depressors to expensive items like prosthetics and medical implants, on behalf of medical device makers. On behalf of clients, they place orders, give samples, give advice, and respond to inquiries. Additionally, they are in charge of upholding continuing connections with doctors and other healthcare decision-makers.
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Salesperson for Automobiles
A car sales executive earns around $ 82,141 a year. An auto dealership employs a car sales executive who assists clients in locating and buying both new and secondhand automobiles. They demonstrate cars and talk about model kinds, features, warranties, and financing alternatives to assist buyers in deciding what to buy. Executives in charge of car sales may also be in charge of upselling other goods and services and negotiating prices.
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Sales Engineer
The average pay of a sales engineer in the United Kingdom is £40,339 a year. Sales engineers specialize in the marketing of scientific or technological goods. They try to condense the technical terms and advantages of these frequently complicated products into a sales speech that potential customers can hear. Sales engineers frequently have a background in science, technology, or engineering since their job requires them to have a technical understanding of the products. Sales engineers and sales representatives may collaborate closely when approaching clients to answer technical inquiries. They also collaborate and explain the features, advantages, and functionalities of the product or service available.
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Manufacturer’s Sales Representative
The average salary for this role is £34,539 a year. Directly representing a manufacturer, sales agents show and sell their goods to potential customers. They canvass potential customers and establish new relationships with current customers, cold call, search business directories, or visit trade exhibitions and conventions on behalf of the manufacturer. These salespeople answer any questions customers may have, negotiate rates, and close deals while outlining the qualities and advantages of the manufacturer’s product. Although representatives may work for several manufacturers, they may specialize in one or more product types due to the benefits of having in-depth product knowledge.
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Commercial Sales Manager
In the United Kingdom, the average pay for a commercial sales manager is £55,417 a year. Commercial sales managers make systematic efforts to guarantee that a company’s sales increase. They handle active accounts, coordinate the employment and procurement of new vendors and contractors, maintain good relationships with clients and product vendors, and prepare quotes for potential clients. Since increasing sales is their main duty, they could ask sales teams questions to learn more about their activities, offer advice, offer consultations on possible new goods, and offer ideas to boost sales.
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Real Estate Agent
The average pay for this role is £33,201 yearly. A real estate agent assists customers in purchasing and disposing of real estate. They arrange property viewings, assist potential homeowners in locating homes that fit their needs and budget, and address any worries that buyers or sellers may have at any point during the process. In a similar vein, they help sellers determine a reasonable market value for their property. They assist in properly marketing the property to potential purchasers and make sure that any issues are raised during negotiations.
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Advertising Sales Representative
The average pay nationwide is £31,939 a year. Clients purchase advertising space from advertising sales professionals. With a predetermined number of advertising spaces to sell in a specific amount of time, they usually operate under quotas. They are capable of working with a variety of advertising media, such as digital, print, radio, and television. They spend a significant amount of their time attempting to find new customers, contacting businesses, and persuading them of the advantages of purchasing advertising space. Additionally, they oversee current accounts for customers who have already purchased advertising, making sure that their needs are appropriately addressed.
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Industries That Will Hire the Most Salespeople 2025-2026
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The Renewable Energy Sector
Accelerated global environmental initiatives and technical advancements are poised to make the renewable energy sector the most exciting sales recruitment scenario in 2025. Within the integration of renewable technologies, we found an unanticipated sales potential. We established a specific sales training program that focused on environmental impact storytelling by collaborating with a specialized solar installation business. This strategy attracted top-tier sales professionals looking for fulfilling career pathways and produced an astounding 73% boost in customer conversion rates. Government spending on green infrastructure is enormous, and this supports this projection. There is also an increasing demand for corporate sustainability. More than just a sales opportunity, the renewable energy market is a revolutionary professional ecosystem. This is where successful business ventures have a close link to beneficial environmental effects. The most competitive salespeople in this new environment will be those with technical knowledge, strong communication abilities, and a sincere dedication to sustainability.
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Technology Industry
The largest employer of salespeople in 2025 will be the technology sector. There is a huge need for qualified salespeople who can explain the value propositions of complicated goods and services due to the quick development of software, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and other disruptive technologies. To take advantage of new prospects, businesses in this sector will need to actively expand their sales staff. For instance, a fresh AI startup creating sophisticated language models could have to employ dozens of salespeople to promote and close deals with businesses in various sectors. Businesses can learn about the technology’s disruptive potential and feel secure enough to embrace it if they have the proper salespeople on board to convey its capabilities.
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E-commerce Industry
By 2026, the e-commerce sector will have the highest number of sales jobs. This is predicated on the unrelenting expansion and digital revolution that we have been seeing in recent years, particularly during the pandemic. A successful e-commerce business primarily focuses on comprehending and meeting the wants of the consumer. This calls for a strong and motivated sales force. To accommodate the increasing demand, represent the variety of our products, and keep up with new developments in technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning, we grew our workforce in 2020.
Furthermore, there are two main explanations for why the e-commerce sector would hire the most people. First, the demand for skilled salespeople will be fueled by the ongoing shift in customer behavior and the increased reliance on online shopping. Second, the need for sales teams with an understanding of foreign markets and cultures will increase dramatically as digital platforms provide businesses with a worldwide presence. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, online sales increased by 9.3% in Q2 2021, accounting for 13.3% of total sales. This suggests that the e-commerce industry may require additional staff.
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Cybersecurity Industry
Cybersecurity companies will have to employ sales professionals who can recognize customer demands. They also need to pitch their products as answers to compliance and protection issues. This is as a result of growing risks and greater awareness of data security. These experts will be essential in converting intricate technical offerings into workable solutions for companies looking for robust security. As cyber dangers evolve, sales teams will play a crucial role in building credibility and providing tailored solutions. These measures ensure security and legal compliance. Salespeople who are enthusiastic about technology and assisting companies in protecting their assets may find intriguing prospects as a result of this growing demand. Sales positions in cybersecurity provide a dynamic setting. This is where building relationships with clients and coming up with innovative solutions to challenges are key to success.
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Agriculture Industry
Due to the growing need for creative farming solutions brought on by population increase and sustainability concerns, the agriculture sector will recruit the most salespeople in 2025. Recent forecasts indicate that the worldwide smart agricultural industry will reach around $29 billion by 2027. The industry is growing at a compound annual rate of more than 10%. Because of this momentum, businesses will want qualified salespeople to promote new technology such as automated machinery. Others are eco-friendly crop solutions and precision farming tools. The magnitude of this expansion is indicative of the industry’s growing dependence on salespeople to link these breakthroughs with farmers and international supply chains.
How Does Working Sales Jobs Feel?
Graduates can anticipate a variety of career settings in sales jobs. Since telesales involves regular office hours or split shifts, field work, or medical sales, they need long hours away from home. Also, sales teams are target-driven, demanding, and extremely busy. There is a base starting salary of between £20,000 and £30,000 for a sales executive. Additionally, the possibility of earning more for reaching goals exists in sales jobs. This is particularly true in companies where commission levels are uncapped, meaning that talented salespeople could earn high total salaries. The focus is on developing, establishing, and sustaining profitable customer relationships. This calls for a variety of soft skills like confidence, communication, diplomacy, and the capacity to handle rejection.
Do I Need a Related Degree to Work Sales Jobs?
Your attitude and professional ability may be considered more significant than specific qualifications for many sales jobs. Although some need at least a 2:1, most firms will consider people with any degree topic. There is an expectation that you have a related technical degree for specialized positions. These are degrees such as those involving the sales of engineering, IT, or medical equipment. A business or computer science degree might be desirable if you’re just starting in IT sales. If not, you’ll probably need to show that you have a keen interest in IT and commercial awareness. When you get more experience, you may want to consider joining a group like the Institute of Sales Management (ISM). Levels 2–7 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) offer industry-recognized ISM qualifications. Level 6 is similar to a university degree, while Level 7 is a master’s degree.
Conclusion
Sales jobs are increasing in the UK, and the need to have professionals with the required skills is important. The roles in sales are suitable for both entry-level and professional. Furthermore, most sales jobs can be handled without a degree in a related field. Sales can be financially rewarding with different opportunities for growth and advancement.