Advertising Sales Rep
Advertising sales reps sell advertising space in print publications and time on radio and television shows, the Internet and outdoor media. There are no formal educational requirements although many employers prefer to hire job candidates who have a bachelor's degree. Advertising sales reps earned a median annual salary of $43,360 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Advertising Sales Rep
Cashier
Cashiers work in supermarkets, department stores, gas stations, movie theaters and restaurants, totaling bills, receiving money, making change and filling out charge forms. There aren't any educational requirements to work as a cashier, but some employers prefer to hire high school graduates (or those with an equivalency diploma) for full time positions. Cashiers earned a median annual salary of $17,820 and median hourly wages of $8.57 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Cashier
Insurance Agent
Insurance agents help clients, including individuals, families and businesses, choose insurance policies that suit their needs. Employers prefer to hire agents who have college degrees but some will hire those with high school diplomas and sales experience. An insurance agent must be licensed by the state in which he or she works. Insurance agents earned a median annual salary of $45,500 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming an Insurance Agent
Retail Salesperson
Retail salespeople work in stores helping customers find the merchandise they are looking for and then trying to interest them in buying it. There are no official educational requirements needed to work as a retail salesperson but many employers will only hire job candidates who have high school or equivalency diplomas. Retail salespeople earned a median annual salary of $20,260 and median hourly wages of $9.74 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Retail Salesperson
Sales Representative
Sales representatives sell products on behalf of manufacturers or wholesalers. Although there are no formal educational requirements for this occupation, many employers prefer to hire those who have earned a bachelor's degree. Sales representatives who sold scientific and technical products had median earnings of $71,340 in 2009 while those who sold all other products earned $50,920.Learn More About Becoming a Sales Representative
Stock Trader
Stock traders buy and sell stock on the floor of a stock exchange on behalf of investors, who may be individuals or corporations. Stock traders need a bachelor's degree and a license. The type of license varies by specialization and firm. Stock traders earned a median annual salary of $66,930 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Stock Trader
Travel Agent
Travel agents assess individual's and business people's needs to help them make the best possible travel arrangements. Employers usually prefer to hire agents who have high school diplomas or the equivalent. Travel agents earned a median annual salary of $30,790 in 2009.Learn More About Becoming a Travel Agent
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ and
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/ (visited February 11, 2011).
Explore more Careers By Field or Industry
| Comparing Sales Careers | |||
| Minimum Education | License | Median Salary | |
| Advertising Sales Rep | Bachelor's preferred but not required | none | $43,360 |
| Cashier | none | none | $17,820 |
| Insurance Agent | Bachelor's | required in every state in the US | $45,500 |
| Retail Salesperson | HS diploma preferred but not required | none | $20,260 |
| Sales Representative | Bachelor's degree preferred but not required | none | $71,340 (scientific and technical products)/$50,920 (all other products) |
| Stock Trader | Bachelor's | required but varies by firm and specialization | $66,930 |
| Travel Agent | HS diploma or equivalent | none | $30,790 |
