Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives work for pharmaceutical manufacturers and suppliers of medical, dental, and veterinary pharmaceutical products. They generate new leads and sales opportunities, build relationships with medical professionals and pharmacies, and meet (and exceed) their monthly sales targets.

As a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative you could be cold-calling a list of veterinary practices in regional Australia to introduce yourself, visiting the manager of a large retail pharmacy to demonstrate a series of new pharmaceutical products, networking with hospital pharmacists and doctors at a regional conference, discussing your monthly sales report with your sales supervisor, attending sales training and development with your BDU (business development unit), or adding an appointment to your busy calendar.

To succeed in this occupation you will need to be highly organised, have outstanding interpersonal skills, and brave enough to cold-call leads and prospects.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $97,344
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a pharmaceutical sales representative?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
BSB50620

Diploma of Marketing and Communication
Online
12 months
$4,095
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Communications Manager Marketing Manager Brand Manager
Account Director Public Relations Officer Brand Ambassador Marketer Junior Website Designer Content Manager Marketing Officer Marketing Assistant Creative Entrepreneur E-Commerce Developer Digital Business Strategist Product Specialist Account Manager Social Media Coordinator Email Marketing Specialist Freelance Artist Digital Media Strategist Social Media Strategist ICT Sales Assistant Multimedia Designer Social Marketer Account Executive Travel Agency Manager Real Estate Agency Manager Cellar Door Manager Radio Producer Design Strategist E-Commerce Manager New Home Sales Consultant Fashion Photographer Portrait Photographer Screenplay Writer Car Salesman Pre-Press Operator Visual Merchandiser Senior Merchandiser Multimedia Writer Marketing Director Retail Executive Marketing Strategist Product Marketing Manager Retention Specialist Market Researcher Fundraising Coordinator Paid Search Manager Relationship Manager Communications Adviser Communications Officer Media Analyst Communications Strategist Media Officer Digital Media Specialist Gallery Manager Sponsorship Manager Student Recruitment Officer Digital Producer International Marketing Specialist Campaign Manager Film Producer Event Photographer Product Photographer Arts Programmer Art Gallery Director Visual Communication Designer Information Designer Digital Artist Editorial Writer Creative Writer Public Affairs Consultant Media Advisor Strategic Advisor Film and TV Production Manager Business Development Consultant Global Account Manager Customer Relationship Manager Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Marketing Executive Marketing Communications Manager Marketing Consultant Brand Strategist
+ 80 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Communications Manager Marketing Manager Brand Manager Account Director Public Relations Officer Brand Ambassador Marketer Junior Website Designer Content Manager Marketing Officer Marketing Assistant Creative Entrepreneur E-Commerce Developer Digital Business Strategist Product Specialist Account Manager Social Media Coordinator Email Marketing Specialist Freelance Artist Digital Media Strategist Social Media Strategist ICT Sales Assistant Multimedia Designer Social Marketer Account Executive Travel Agency Manager Real Estate Agency Manager Cellar Door Manager Radio Producer Design Strategist E-Commerce Manager New Home Sales Consultant Fashion Photographer Portrait Photographer Screenplay Writer Car Salesman Pre-Press Operator Visual Merchandiser Senior Merchandiser Multimedia Writer Marketing Director Retail Executive Marketing Strategist Product Marketing Manager Retention Specialist Market Researcher Fundraising Coordinator Paid Search Manager Relationship Manager Communications Adviser Communications Officer Media Analyst Communications Strategist Media Officer Digital Media Specialist Gallery Manager Sponsorship Manager Student Recruitment Officer Digital Producer International Marketing Specialist Campaign Manager Film Producer Event Photographer Product Photographer Arts Programmer Art Gallery Director Visual Communication Designer Information Designer Digital Artist Editorial Writer Creative Writer Public Affairs Consultant Media Advisor Strategic Advisor Film and TV Production Manager Business Development Consultant Global Account Manager Customer Relationship Manager Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Marketing Executive Marketing Communications Manager Marketing Consultant Brand Strategist + 80 more
BSB60120

Advanced Diploma of Business
Blended, Online
12 - 18 months
$0 - $4,595
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above from the BSB Training Package
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Administrator General Manager Account Director
Regional Manager Business Administrator Governance Coordinator Creative Entrepreneur Digital Business Strategist Senior Risk Manager Procurement Specialist Executive Director Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Logistics Planner
+ 10 more
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above from the BSB Training Package
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Administrator General Manager Account Director Regional Manager Business Administrator Governance Coordinator Creative Entrepreneur Digital Business Strategist Senior Risk Manager Procurement Specialist Executive Director Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Logistics Planner + 10 more

Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $105,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Brand Manager Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Product Marketing Manager
Promotions Manager Advertising Manager Brand Strategist International Marketer Market Analyst Marketing Manager New Home Sales Consultant Marketing Strategist Fundraising Coordinator Gallery Manager Sponsorship Manager International Marketing Specialist Campaign Manager Content Executive Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
+ 15 more

Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Blended, On Campus
3 years
$0 - $97,200
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biomedical Scientist Biotechnologist Medical Researcher
Medical Scientist Biomedical Technician Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
+ 3 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biomedical Scientist Biotechnologist Medical Researcher Medical Scientist Biomedical Technician Pharmaceutical Sales Representative + 3 more

Bachelor of Biomedicine
On Campus
3 years
$0 - $27,636
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biomedical Researcher Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Biomedical Researcher Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Common questions

How much do Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives earn?

The average salary for Australian Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives is currently $1,872 per week ($97,344 annually). Increase your earning capacity by undertaking supporting qualifications in business development, sales, and marketing.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives?

There are 9,100 Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives currently employed across Australia. They work for pharmaceutical manufacturers and distribution companies.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative?

You can become a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative in Australia with a Bachelor of Health Science, Bachelor of Biomedicine, or Pharmaceutical Science. Many qualified nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals find pharmaceutical sales to be an enjoyable career change.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2024

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

How do I become a sales manager?

22nd December 2022)

How to start a career as a Medical Receptionist

7th December 2021)

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