What is the difference between Commissions vs Sales Representatives?

Career: Commissions

AspectCommissionsSales Representatives
Required credentialsNone specific, often on-the-job trainingSales training, sometimes certifications
Work environmentIndependent, commission-basedOffice, retail, or field sales
Employer usageUsed as a compensation methodJob title for sales roles
Search intentUnderstanding earning potentialFinding sales job opportunities

Commissions refer to a compensation structure where earnings are based on sales performance, often paid as a percentage of sales. Sales Representatives are job roles that typically earn commissions along with a base salary or hourly wage. While commissions are a pay method, Sales Representatives are the professionals who earn commissions through their sales activities. Understanding this distinction helps job seekers identify roles that offer commission-based pay versus those that simply involve earning commissions as part of their compensation package.