Are you on the fence about pursuing a career in pharmaceutical sales?
Pharmaceutical sales representatives play an important, albeit indirect, role in the provision of healthcare services. They work for pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, where they’re tasked with influencing healthcare providers into purchasing and prescribing their employer’s products.
Of course, being a pharmaceutical sales rep isn’t for everyone. The job needs people with a passion for science and a knack for sales.
If you tick both boxes but would still like further convincing, read on. We’re sharing a couple of reasons to pursue this career.
1. Decent Job Demand
Nobody wants to spend years in college only to enter the job market and find that jobs are few and far between. This won’t be the case when you pursue a career in pharmaceutical sales.
According to the BLS, the employment of all manufacturing sales reps will grow 5 percent through the next decade. Although the COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant challenge for this profession since traveling and face-to-face meetings were limited, things are looking up as the pandemic eases.
While drug and medical device manufacturers will always need sales reps, employment positions are getting limited as more reps enter the job market. To enhance your chances of getting hired quickly, secure the highest qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences coupled with an MBA.
2. Attractive Compensation
How much do pharmaceutical sales reps take home?
At the end of the day, it’s the money that matters the most. And you’ll be surprised to learn that these reps are paid well. The average salary for pharmaceutical sales reps is $86,000, which is higher than the average salary for bachelor’s degree holders.
That’s not all. Employers pay a fixed salary, but on top of that, there are commissions. If you’re a top-selling rep, you can easily earn well over $100,000 a year.
3. A Job That Pays You to Travel
Everybody loves traveling, but being away from home constantly costs a lot of money – unless someone is paying you to do it.
Well, as a pharmaceutical sales rep, you get paid to travel. The job involves visiting different towns and cities in a certain region to meet doctors and other healthcare providers.
If you land a job in a state that you’ve never been to before, you can bank on the job to take you to every corner of that state. Just be sure to make time to explore and enjoy the attractions!
4. Career Flexibility
The average person changes careers about 8 times before retirement.
As much as you might love and enjoy your pharma sales career, there’s still the risk of burning out and wanting something different. Luckily, with your pharmaceutical training, there are other careers you can easily transition into. For example, you can move into the insurance industry and sell products like Medicare and Medicare supplements.
This flexibility makes pharmaceutical sales a great career.
Start Your Career in Pharmaceutical Sales
An attractive salary, great flexibility, getting paid to travel, and a good outlook all make a career in pharmaceutical sales an ideal option. However, you still need to ensure that the job is a good fit for you before joining college.
All the best and keep browsing our blog for more career advice.
