What is highest earning niche of Med Sales

Is that really true. I would have thought more.

 

I know someone who used to work at Synthes and consistently made 300 to 400k per year. He eventually wound up with a manager he couldn't get along with and left.

I know someone there now who says those days are over. He hates working at Synthes since the buy out and is looking for something different as well.

Are the days of making 350k+ in device mostly over?

 

There are probably a few but mostly only if you are a distributor. Had a few friends making 300-400k selling external spine stimulators those days are gone and they are now still making a good living making 150k.

 

No, I'm not in imaging modalities. I sell surgical microscopes to Neuro, ENT, and plastics. I also have a few other products. Its through a distributor. I don't have that company cc or car, but I'm making a lot more money and I'm much happier.

 

My friend works for them and I think he is knocking on the door of $300k plus. However he is in trauma and has done it for almost 6 years now. He started at 70k and makes more each year but that's just by inheriting more hospitals and therefore more OR time. I think there has been compensation changes in all divisions minus trauma yet. However I have a family and enjoy my nights and weekends off and trauma has no mercy for personal time.

 

This is very accurate. Base's for Account reps are typically 60-80k with commission that can vary from 1.5%-4% typically across product lines.

The sales specialists come in with a higher base to support reps, and typically take .5% or 1% commission. Think of them as the closer in baseball, or a hired gun.

 

Do sales reps for the big 4 usually cover all modalities? Also, anybody know which of the big 4 is most favorable in LA Area in terms of GPO's?

 

I believe account managers at Philips and AE's at GE and Siemens cover all products and roll up to product specialists for each category.

 

Please take the time to read what people are posting; this is one of only a few threads on this site where the feedback is helpful and true as opposed to bashing companies, etc. Your question about covering multiple modalities has been answered in great detail when explaining the difference between an Account Manager/Account Executive vs a Product Specialist.

 

Ive been in Trauma a year now in a major
Market. There are guys making 300-500k at the top with over 7 years of exp. Not sure if I want to continue this lifestyle. Looking at Spine. Any thoughts?

 

Yes true, was offered a AM position with one of the above and turned it down. Endovascular device companies tend to target around $250k. I went back into Endovascular for the money. The AM position would have had a better QOL, but the time is always now when it comes to the opportunity to make money.

 

Yes.
Your best shot is independent selling with a variety of products, and maybe getting very lucky with one. But, that is hard because it seems every company you rep independently wants to treat you like a full time employee.

Quite honestly, if you want the big buck,you have to open your own business. Something converting junk into marketable products is the best way to do it. But, you have a lot of headaches.

State jobs pay more, on average, than sales today. And when you factor in the benefits, you are making much more and less headaches.

Face it, sales is for goofballs. I have done it for 20 years, and do it with ease. But, if I were to start over, I would get into the federal government and stay there. It is only going to get bigger and there is tons of job stability. Same with the state and most locals.

 

***Warning First Ever Post On Topic Thread Hi-jacking***

As a guy who works for the state and has been strongly considering moving into the industry this is disheartening to hear - that people here would recommend actually getting into government work! It's soul crushing day in day out seeing things not get done due to red tape or the laziness of others. That said, would you all honestly recommend this? I have two friends and two family members in the device/pharma sales industry and they all say it isn't what it used to be, but are encouraging me to switch over from government IT work (systems director/developer FWIW). Just curious what your thoughts are. Current job tops out around $110k (though at 85k now and takes 7 years to get to 110) with good health benes and pension.

 

Would you be able to share some specs on AM base/OTE as you recently saw this info?

 

All of the CRM guys I know do very well.

 

A lot of leaves raked into a pile then fake acting to make believe that its money.

 

your all wrong..

its being a clinical specialtits because you can steal money and not work hard because you can blame your rep and be a cancer to the the territory.

6 figures and a cell phone payment.

 

Answer to the original question, "What is the highest earning niche of med sales?" I would say generally across the board endovascular is the place to be. Most players are all $200k+ at plan, plenty of reps are in the $250-$350 range, with top people even higher, but consistently year after year making good money.

 

CoreValve is $220k at plan. Top reps can be over $700k. ELS is similar in pay.

 

med sales pay has come down, but still a lot more money than working for the government.. in endovascular i've been over 200k for years plus car, benefits, etc.. government job easier, more stable, but i would stick a gun in my mouth. get into medical, make money and stash it away.. fund your own retirement.