Profession · Full profile

Sales Assistant

Provide administrative support to sales teams by handling quotes, orders, and customer communication.

Average salary

$45,010

Salary range

$30,310 – $64,680

Training time

Up to 1 month

Job market

Decline

2/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

A sales assistant supports the sales team by managing administrative and operational duties. Daily responsibilities include preparing quotes, entering orders into CRM and ERP software, scheduling client meetings, and tracking sales pipelines. Sales assistants answer customer inquiries by phone and email while coordinating shipments with warehouse and finance departments. Pay and job figures cover general office clerks, the official group that includes most sales support roles. The role offers a steady introduction to commercial sales operations.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

A regular business day balancing order processing, quotes, and customer inquiries.

8:30 AM
Inbox review
Review customer emails and identify urgent order requests.
9:30 AM
Order processing
Enter purchase orders into the CRM and ERP systems.
11:00 AM
Calendar scheduling
Schedule sales meetings and update calendars for sales representatives.
12:00 PM
Lunch break
Midday meal break.
1:00 PM
Drafting quotes
Prepare quotes and formal proposals for prospective buyers.
3:00 PM
Department coordination
Coordinate with warehouse and finance staff on delivery and invoicing.
4:30 PM
Pipeline updates
Update sales pipelines and compile daily sales reports.

Task breakdown

A busy day managing urgent purchase requests and closing deadlines.

8:00 AM
Pipeline check
Review open deals in the CRM to prioritize closing paperwork.
9:00 AM
Rush order entry
Process priority orders and check updated price lists.
11:00 AM
Customer service
Answer incoming calls regarding order confirmations and delivery times.
12:30 PM
Lunch break
Midday meal break.
1:30 PM
Proposal generation
Finalize expedited quotes and send order confirmations.
3:30 PM
Logistics alignment
Work with warehouse workers to confirm shipments before shipping cutoffs.
4:45 PM
End-of-day reporting
Generate final sales summaries for the sales management team.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$30,310

Average

$45,010

Maximum

$64,680

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$30,310	$45,010	$64,680
California	$36,190	$48,460	$73,220
Texas	$24,570	$39,000	$61,190
Florida	$30,880	$44,450	$65,110
New York	$34,270	$45,890	$64,800
Pennsylvania	$29,640	$44,950	$62,480

Typical benefits

Health insurance

Medical insurance coverage provided through the employer.

Paid time off

Paid leave for vacation, sick days, and holidays.

401(k) retirement plan

Retirement savings plan offered by the company.

Team bonuses

Performance bonuses offered at some employers based on sales team goals.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

On-the-job training

Up to 1 month

On-the-job training in sales support

You learn the CRM, the product catalog and the order process on the job.

Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree

2 years full time

Associate degree in business administration

Not required, but helps candidates move into inside sales or account management.

Costs: About $4,150 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public two-year college (in-district)
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

CRM software such as Salesforce or HubSpotManage customer accounts, enter leads, and track pipeline stages.
SpreadsheetsOrganize data, update price lists, and track sales figures.
Order entry and quotingGenerate accurate pricing quotes, proposals, and order confirmations.
Business email writingDraft clear and professional email communications for clients and colleagues.
Basic sales reportingCompile summary reports and track sales progress for the team.

Soft skills

OrganizationKeep track of multiple calendars, client files, and daily deadlines.
Customer focusRespond attentively to client inquiries and resolve order issues.
Attention to detailEnsure accuracy in product codes, pricing, and shipping information.
TeamworkCollaborate smoothly with sales reps, warehouse staff, and accounting.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
Detail-orientedFocuses on exact numbers and terms when drafting quotes and entering orders.
✓
Service-mindedEnjoys supporting team members and helping customers solve problems.
✓
StructuredWorks systematically to organize schedules, files, and incoming tasks.
✓
AdaptableManages fluctuating workloads smoothly during busy end-of-quarter periods.
✓
DependableConsistently follows up on inquiries and completes assigned administrative duties.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

249,000

Trend

Declining

Growth

-6%

AI impact

6/10

Quoting, order entry and reporting are increasingly automated, while customer contact and coordination stay human work.

Regional demand

Florida

Roles available in wholesale distribution, financial firms, and business services.

6/10

Pennsylvania

Positions found among manufacturing companies, wholesalers, and commercial operations.

6/10

California

Opportunities exist across technology, wholesale, and manufacturing businesses.

5/10

Texas

Consistent demand within distribution centers, wholesale firms, and corporate offices.

5/10

New York

Openings centered in corporate services, technology companies, and financial services.

4/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Senior sales assistant
2-4 years
Take on larger client accounts, handle complex orders, and guide junior staff.
Inside sales representative
2-5 years
Move into direct selling by managing client conversations and closing sales remotely.
Account manager
5+ years
Manage ongoing customer relationships and grow long-term business accounts.

Horizontal move

Outside sales representative
Transition to field sales to visit potential clients and secure business in person.
View Outside Sales Representative
Office manager
Direct general administrative functions and coordinate daily office operations.
View Office Manager

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Usually full time during regular business hours.
Remote work: Partly possible: many employers allow hybrid work once you know the systems.
Physical requirements: Office work, mostly at a desk.
Typical employers: Wholesalers and distributors, manufacturers, software and technology companies, insurance and financial services firms, and business services companies.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What does a sales assistant do every day?

A sales assistant handles administrative tasks to keep the sales department running efficiently. They enter orders into CRM and ERP software, write price quotes, answer customer inquiries by phone or email, and schedule sales appointments. They also update pipelines and sales reports while working with shipping and accounting teams to make sure customer shipments and invoices are completed accurately and on time.

Do you need a college degree to become a sales assistant?

No, a college degree is typically not required to become a sales assistant. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent, as most specific skills are learned during on-the-job training. However, an associate degree in business administration can help candidates stand out and makes it easier to advance into inside sales or account management roles later in your career.

Can a sales assistant work remotely?

Yes, hybrid remote work is partly possible for sales assistants. Many employers allow staff to work remotely part of the week once they have demonstrated solid knowledge of internal software and order systems. Because the role is primarily desk-based office work involving email, spreadsheets, and software systems, tasks can be managed effectively from a home office.

What tools and software do sales assistants use?

Sales assistants primarily rely on CRM platforms, ERP systems, spreadsheets, and business email. Common software platforms include tools like Salesforce or HubSpot for managing leads, pipeline stages, and contact records. They also use spreadsheets to track price lists and generate basic sales reports, alongside phone and email software to coordinate daily communication with customers and colleagues.

How can a sales assistant advance in their career?

A sales assistant can advance by stepping into senior support roles or moving into direct selling. Common vertical promotions include becoming a senior sales assistant, an inside sales representative, or eventually an account manager. Others make lateral moves to become outside sales representatives or office managers, using their foundational knowledge of administrative operations, customer service, and commercial order processing.

How does automation affect the sales assistant role?

Automation is changing administrative routines by streamlining tasks like quoting, order entry, and reporting. Software increasingly automates data entry and repetitive documentation workflows. Even so, human skills remain essential for customer communication, personal coordination between internal departments, and resolving complex client issues that automated systems cannot handle independently.

Cover letter

Sales Assistant Cover Letter

View the example

Related professions

In depth

All about sales assistant

The background, context and details.

What is a sales assistant?

A sales assistant supports the commercial sales department by organizing administrative workflows, maintaining records, and assisting customers. Common job duties include drafting price quotes, entering orders into CRM and ERP platforms, updating sales pipelines, and scheduling meetings for account representatives. Sales assistants also work closely with warehouse and finance staff to verify product delivery and billing.

Typical work environment and schedule

Sales assistants perform desk-based office work across multiple industries, including wholesalers and distributors, manufacturers, software and technology companies, insurance and financial services firms, and business services companies. Work hours are usually full time during regular business hours from Monday to Friday. Many employers offer hybrid remote work arrangements once an assistant becomes proficient with company systems. Workloads remain steady throughout the year, with busier periods occurring around quarter and year end deadlines.

Key skills for sales assistants

Succeeding in this role requires a blend of technical competence and customer service skills. Sales assistants regularly work with spreadsheets and CRM platforms such as Salesforce or HubSpot to manage buyer information and generate basic sales reports. Strong written communication skills are essential for drafting quotes, proposals, and professional business emails. In addition, candidates need strong organization, teamwork, and attention to detail to track order numbers, verify shipping schedules, and prevent errors.

Education and advancement paths

Entering the field generally requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Most professionals learn order processes, product catalogs, and CRM software through on-the-job training. Some individuals pursue an associate degree in business administration to prepare for future promotions. With experience, a sales assistant can advance to senior sales assistant, inside sales representative, or account manager. Lateral career transitions into outside sales representative or office manager roles are also possible.

Job market outlook

About 2,600,000 jobs exist in the United States within general office clerks, the official group that includes most sales support roles. Employment is projected to change by -6% over the next decade, with about 249,000 openings projected each year over the next decade. While software increasingly automates routine quoting and order entry, customer communication and internal coordination continue to demand personal human oversight.