If you’re interested in cloud technology and have sales or customer service skills, you may be able to start a lucrative career in the computer tech industry as a tech sales professional—even if you don’t have a college degree. Here’s what you need to know about the tech sales job market and where you can get free training to enter this field.

What is Tech Sales?

The field of tech sales is centered on selling technology products or services to businesses. This can include software, hardware, and other tech-related products. In recent years, the term “tech sales” has become synonymous with SaaS, or Software as a Service sales. SaaS refers to software that is hosted and delivered over the internet rather than installed on a customer’s computer.

Tech sales professionals are salespeople who specialize in this field. They are typically responsible for generating new business, maintaining relationships with existing clients, and closing deals. They work closely with product development teams to understand the features and benefits of the products they sell, and they work with marketing teams to develop campaigns that drive sales. They are also responsible for tracking sales metrics, analyzing data, and reporting on sales performance.

One key aspect of tech sales is that it is predominantly business-to-business (B2B). This means that tech sales professionals sell products or services to other businesses rather than to individual consumers. B2B sales require a different set of skills than B2C (business-to-consumer) sales, as B2B sales typically involve longer sales cycles, more complex products, and multiple decision makers.

The Tech Sales Job Market

Here’s what you need to know about the tech sales job market, including worker demand, salaries, and job growth.

High Demand for Tech Sales Professionals

The demand for tech sales professionals has been on the rise in recent years, as businesses increasingly rely on technology to streamline their operations and improve their bottom line. In fact, sales development is the second most in-demand job function in the technology industry, after software engineering. Recently, demand for tech salespeople has been driven by several factors:

  • SaaS industry growth. The global SaaS market nearly doubled its value in revenue between 2019 and 2022, and it’s expected to continue growing at a significant rate through 2026 and beyond. This growth has created a need for sales professionals who are skilled at selling SaaS products to businesses.
  • Increasing importance of technology in all industries. As businesses adopt new technologies, they need sales professionals who can effectively communicate the benefits of these products and services. This has led to a need for tech sales professionals in industries such as healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
  • A shift toward remote work across many industries. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work, which has increased the need for technology solutions that enable remote collaboration and communication. This has created a demand for tech sales professionals who are knowledgeable about products like video conferencing software, project management tools, and cloud storage solutions.

Robust Tech Sales Salaries

Tech sales professionals are typically well-compensated, with salaries that are higher than the average for sales professionals in other industries. The national average tech sales salary is $60,421 per year. However, salaries for tech sales jobs can vary widely depending on factors such as experience level, location, and industry.

One factor that can have a significant impact on salaries is commission. Tech sales professionals often receive a base salary plus commission, which can be a significant portion of their total compensation.

Strong Tech Sales Job Outlook

The job outlook for tech sales professionals is strong, with continued growth projected in the coming years. At least two major factors could impact job growth in this field:

  • The shift toward remote work. One factor that could impact the job outlook for tech sales professionals is the continuing shift to remote work. As more businesses adopt remote work policies even after the pandemic, the need for face-to-face sales meetings may decrease, which could lead to a shift towards more virtual sales processes. However, this could also create new opportunities for tech sales professionals who are skilled at using virtual communication tools and techniques.
  • Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Another factor that could impact the job outlook is the ongoing development of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies that are designed to automate parts of the sales process. While these technologies could potentially replace some sales jobs, they are also likely to create new opportunities for tech sales professionals who are able to adapt to and leverage these technologies.

Overall, the job market for tech sales professionals is expected to remain strong in the coming years, with continued demand for skilled professionals who can effectively sell technology products and services to businesses.

Get Assistance with JobTrain

You can get the training you need to qualify for many rewarding careers in tech sales and other skilled trades. If you live near Silicon Valley in northern California, you can visit one of JobTrain’s four affiliated centers to get free hands-on career training.

JobTrain is an accredited educational and training institution that transforms lives and communities in Silicon Valley. We help the Valley’s people by preparing them for successful, sustainable careers in high-demand and emerging fields. Explore JobTrain’s other career training programs.