Tech sales. The buzz is real, and you’re probably here because you’re wondering if it’s more than just hype. Is tech sales actually a good career path?
Maybe you’ve scrolled past a TikTok guru flaunting the supposed riches of tech sales. Or perhaps someone told you it’s the golden ticket into the tech world, even without coding skills. You might be a student mapping out your future, a recent graduate exploring options, or even a seasoned salesperson eyeing a career shift into tech. Or, hey, maybe you’re just a curious mind exploring different career landscapes. No judgment here! 🙂
I’m Cole, and for six years, I lived and breathed tech sales. Now, through Break Into Tech Sales, I guide others to launch their own tech sales journeys. My goal here is straightforward: to give you a clear answer to the question: “Is Tech Sales A Good Career?”
Spoiler alert: Yes, it absolutely is. ✅
Let’s dive into nine compelling reasons why tech sales stands out as an exceptional career choice in today’s dynamic job market.
1. Skip the Extensive Schooling: Experience Isn’t Always King
When you picture a “good career,” traditional paths like doctor, lawyer, or banker might spring to mind. But what’s the catch with these professions? Years upon years of expensive education.
Tech sales flips that script. You can jump in and build a thriving career without needing a specific degree or prior experience. And here’s the kicker: the earning potential can rival, or even surpass, those traditionally prestigious fields.
How is this possible? Because sales is a skill that can be learned and honed by anyone with the right drive and aptitude. And surprisingly, many tech companies are moving away from mandatory college degrees, focusing instead on what you can do.
Tech sales operates as a meritocracy. Performance speaks louder than diplomas. If you can consistently close deals and drive revenue, companies will reward you handsomely with commission checks. It’s that direct and results-oriented.
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2. Embrace Location Flexibility: The Rise of Remote Tech Sales Roles
The pandemic significantly shifted the work landscape, with a surge in remote job opportunities. The tech industry was at the forefront of this transformation.
While some companies are now navigating hybrid models, the undeniable truth is that remote tech sales positions have exploded in recent years.
Betts Recruiting’s 2023 Compensation Guide confirms this trend:
“The shift to remote Account Executives (AEs) has increased by 30% year-over-year. A majority of AEs and Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) within the Betts network are now remote, and all indicators suggest this trend will continue.”
The best part? Your earning potential remains on par with colleagues in major tech hubs like San Francisco or New York.
Skeptical? Take a look at the tech sales compensation data (broken down by location) for both SDRs and AEs.
Source: Betts Recruiting, 2022 Compensation Guide
Remote tech sales empowers you to work from virtually anywhere. Imagine working from a quiet town in Kansas or a vibrant beach in Bali. All you need is a reliable internet connection and you’re set. Plus, travel becomes seamless – just pack your laptop and headset, and your office goes with you, no PTO days needed.
Ready to explore remote tech sales opportunities? There are tons of resources to guide your search.
3. Ride the Wave of the Dominant Tech Industry
The Information Technology sector is not just big; it’s the biggest. It dominates the U.S. economy with a staggering market cap of $13.99 trillion (as of July 6, 2023).
The titans of industry, the largest American companies – think Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon – are all tech powerhouses. And the tech sector shows no signs of slowing down; it’s continually expanding and evolving.
4. Continuous Growth: Tech’s Trajectory Points Upward
The Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index, a key indicator of the tech industry’s health, stood above 4,500 as of July 6, 2023. Fast forward ten years prior, to July 5, 2013, and that same index was at 772.
That’s an annualized growth rate of approximately 19.28% over the last decade. For anyone familiar with investing, that’s an exceptionally high return.
Source: Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index
Remember the tech stock dip between early 2022 and 2023? Suddenly, doubts arose: “Is tech still a safe bet?” Layoffs and market corrections fueled anxieties, with some even questioning the long-term viability of the tech sector.
Then, AI emerged, reigniting the tech surge. This resilience and rapid rebound underscore why a bullish outlook on tech, both for investment and career paths, is well-founded. Tech is poised to remain the primary engine of economic growth for the foreseeable future.
Tim Mullaney in a CNBC article aptly summarizes this:
“Experts say the likely conclusion is that tech demand keeps growing — and that companies across the economy will continue to see technology change the nature of their businesses and workers see technology change their jobs.”
— Tim Mullaney, “Why technology spending will rise even as tech stocks tank and layoffs mount”
When choosing a career, aligning with a growth industry is crucial for your own career trajectory. By this metric, the tech industry is an undeniably smart choice.
5. Solid Job Security in a Thriving Sector
Let’s consider job security. Working for a large tech company inherently carries less risk of company failure due to financial instability. However, layoffs can occur, particularly in companies that have over-expanded.
Even in layoff scenarios, the robust nature of the tech sector provides a safety net. As the largest sector in the U.S. economy, numerous other tech companies are actively hiring.
Even if you opt for a startup environment, and that startup doesn’t succeed, the demand for tech talent means finding another startup opportunity is highly probable. New startups emerge daily, constantly seeking skilled professionals.
The tech industry values its workforce, and career mobility is common. The days of staying with one company for decades are largely relics of the past. Once you establish a foothold in tech and gain experience, your skills will remain highly sought after, as long as the tech industry maintains its current growth trajectory.
6. Fast-Track Your Career: Abundant Promotion Opportunities
The rapid growth of the tech industry translates directly into faster career advancement.
Here’s why:
- Expanding tech companies need to quickly scale their teams.
- Companies typically choose to promote from within rather than solely hiring externally.
- Promoting internal talent is often more cost-effective and efficient than lengthy external recruitment and onboarding processes.
“We’re seeing a continuation of the trend of promoting and hiring into senior roles with less and less experience.”— Betts Recruiting, 2020 Compensation Guide
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7. Sales Skills: Your Universal Career Currency
We’ve focused a lot on the “tech” aspect, but let’s talk about “sales.” The beauty of a sales career lies in the universality of the skills you develop. Sales acumen is valuable across all industries, in every economic climate.
Imagine a hypothetical scenario: the tech industry disappears overnight (highly unlikely, but for illustrative purposes). What happens to your career?
Transitioning to another high-demand, high-paying sales sector, such as financial sales or pharmaceutical sales, becomes a seamless move. Tech salespeople are often considered top-tier sales professionals.
Why? Because tech sales typically offers higher compensation, attracting top talent. Additionally, tech salespeople leverage sophisticated sales software and tools, enhancing productivity and efficiency. This skillset makes them highly attractive to companies across diverse industries.
8. Lucrative Cash Compensation: Earning Potential in Tech Sales
Let’s address the elephant in the room: money. It’s a significant motivator for many considering tech sales, and rightfully so. While it’s not the only perk, the financial rewards are undeniably attractive.
Yes, you can earn a very substantial income in tech sales.
Below is a table outlining compensation data for various tech sales roles in San Francisco for 2022. Compensation varies by location, and you can explore data for other cities on the Betts Recruiting website here.
| Rank | Job Title | OTE in San Francisco (thousands) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRO / VP of Sales | $340,000 – $520,000 |
| 2 | Sales Manager / Director of Sales | $240,000 – $400,000 |
| 3 | Enterprise Account Executive (5-10 Years) | $240,000 – $400,000 |
| 4 | Account Executive (3-5 Years) | $180,000 – $250,000 |
| 5 | SDR Manager | $170,000 – $210,000 |
| 6 | Account Executive (0-3 Years) | $150,000 – $220,000 |
| 7 | Sales Engineer | $150,000 – $200,000 |
| 8 | Sales Operations | $110,000 – $220,000 |
| 9 | SDR (6+ Months) | $80,000 – $100,000 |
| 10 | SDR (Recent Grad) | $75,000 – $90,000 |
Source: Betts Recruiting, 2022 Compensation Guide
9. Equity: The Potential for Long-Term Wealth
Tech sales compensation packages typically include a base salary and commissions. But there’s another significant component: equity.
Equity, or stock options, represents ownership in the company. Granting equity is common practice in tech sales roles. If the company performs well, the value of your equity grows, potentially exponentially.
The stories of individuals achieving substantial wealth in tech are almost always linked to equity appreciation, not just salary. Equity offers the potential for significant long-term financial gains.
Breaking Into Tech Sales: Addressing the Challenge
By now, you might be thinking: “This sounds amazing, what’s the catch?” If tech sales is so rewarding, why isn’t everyone pursuing it?
Many aspiring tech salespeople encounter challenges when trying to land their first entry-level position. Securing a tech sales job isn’t necessarily easy.
While entry-level roles often don’t mandate a degree or specific experience, the appeal of tech sales is now widely recognized, leading to a highly competitive applicant pool.
Tech companies have rigorous interview processes to ensure they hire top-performing sales talent. Through Break Into Tech Sales, I’ve observed common roadblocks for those trying to enter tech sales:
- Insufficient application volume
- Targeting the wrong types of tech sales roles
- Applying to unsuitable tech companies
- Neglecting direct outreach to recruiters
- Suboptimal LinkedIn profiles
- Ineffective resumes
- Weak written communication skills
- Underdeveloped interview skills
Your Pathway into Tech Sales: Actionable Steps
If you’re serious about pursuing a career in tech sales, here are two pathways to consider:
1. The DIY Approach: Self-Guided Job Search
If you can secure a tech sales role independently, without incurring course or bootcamp costs, that’s the most financially savvy route.
Start by leveraging LinkedIn. Search for entry-level tech sales titles (SDR, BDR, ADR) and aggressively apply to as many relevant positions as possible. For some, this direct approach yields quick offers. For additional guidance, explore online resources and videos.
2. Structured Learning: Online Courses
Drawing on six years of tech sales experience, successfully navigating multiple tech sales job applications, conducting interviews, and coaching countless individuals through Break Into Tech Sales, I’ve consolidated my insights into a comprehensive 3.5-hour video course on Udemy.
If financial constraints are a barrier, connect with me on LinkedIn, and I can provide complimentary access.
Conclusion: Tech Sales – A Resounding “Yes” for a Great Career
So, back to the initial question: Is tech sales a good career?
Hopefully, the reasons outlined above clearly demonstrate why I firmly believe the answer is a resounding yes. Tech sales offers a compelling combination of high earning potential, career growth, job security, and industry relevance.
If you have further questions, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.
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