MedReps.com conducted its 2nd Annual Medical Sales Salary Survey in April of 2012. In an effort to compile as much data as possible, we sent our 2012 Survey to Premium Members, Basic Members, and former Members too. Only responses from those currently working in healthcare sales were considered – bringing the number of eligible responses to 1,457. This report focuses only on those respondents working in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sales.

Biotech Sales Professionals report among the highest earnings.

At $150,933, the average total income reported by our survey respondents working in biotech was higher than that reported by professionals in almost any other field. Device professionals earn just 2.5% more than those in biotech/biopharma and less than 2% more than Health IT/software reps.

2011 vs 2012

While commissions and bonuses are down significantly (12%) in 2012, the overall drop appears to be offset by increases in base salaries. Total compensation is down just 1% from the average reported in 2011.

Sales Reps vs Management

The jump to management in biotech sales has a significant impact on income. Base salaries for those working in biotech sales management are a reported 31% higher than those in a sales role, and commission and bonuses for those in management are a reported 18% more.

Men vs Women

While women working in biotech report higher base salaries, men working in biotech earn, on average, 7% more in total compensation. Interestingly, women were slightly more likely to have received a salary increase in the past 12 months.

Income by Age

While there were very few biotech respondents in the 20-30 age group, those that responded reported earning 5% more than those in the 31-40 age group. Barring this exception (which may have been skewed by the limited data), biotech income appears to increase with age. Note: There were no respondents in the 60+ category.

Income by Experience

Experience is a strong indicator of how much a professional working in biotech sales will earn. With an average total income of $175,000, those with 20+ years of experience earn the most, followed by those with 11-20 years. The large majority (60%) of respondents fell into this category.

Income by Company Size

Biotech sales professionals working for medium-sized companies (51-999 FTE) earn, on average, 13% more than those working for large companies (1,000+ FTE). No respondents reported working for a small company (

Income by Travel

The results of the survey suggest that travel does not have a big impact on earnings. While those traveling 50% of the time earn the most, their total average compensation was just 1% more than that of professionals who do not travel at all.

Biotech / Biopharma Sales Rep Perks

Most professionals working in biotech have access to an expense account. One-third receive a car allowance and 61% drive a company car. 57% are part of an employee stock purchase plan. Only 1% of biotech respondents said they did not have access to any of these perks.

Download the full report:

2012 Biotech Sales Salary Report

View more healthcare sales salary reports: 2012 Medical Sales Rep Salaries, Medical Device Sales Salaries, Medical Equipment Sales Salaries, and Pharmaceutical Sales Salaries.