What Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel this way: "Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems."
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,272,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,306,700 in 2035, an increase of 34,000 jobs (+2.7%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 115,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $69,990, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel earn the most
Across the 30 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,845 in Kentucky to $89,888 in New York, a gap of $34,043 (1.61 times). 16 of those 30 states average above the BLS national median of $69,990 and 14 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 138,620, which is 9.6% of the 1,445,800 counted across them. Texas follows with 125,710.
Highest-paying states
New York ($89,888), New Jersey ($88,416) and California ($82,848) lead the ranking, while Kentucky ($55,845) and South Carolina ($57,711) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel: pay against the cost of living
We compare 46 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $40,899. The smallest margin is $19,204 in Miami-Dade County, FL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 46 of the 46 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 20.8% and 48.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (41-3000) include Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents, Advertising Sales Agents and Insurance Sales Agents.
Frequently asked questions about Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
How much do Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $69,990. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,845 to $89,888.
Which state pays Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $89,888. New Jersey is next at $88,416.
Is Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 115,700 openings a year.
What education do Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $40,899 on a median wage of $78,110.