Sales workers have the advantage of a career with unlimited opportunities. No matter what's being invented or reinvented, somebody is needed to sell it. If you're interested in sales, consider any of these 10 occupations.
1. Advertising sales agent*What they do: Advertising sales agents sell advertising space to businesses and individuals. They contact potential clients, make sales presentations and maintain client accounts.
Typical education level needed to enter occupation: High-school diploma or equivalent
2010 median pay: $45,350
2. Cashier
What they do: Cashiers handle payments from customers purchasing goods and services.
Typical education level: Less than high school
2010 median pay: $18,500
3. Demonstrator and product promoter
What they do: Demonstrators and product promoters create a public interest in products, such as cosmetics, housewares and food. They encourage people and stores to buy their products by showing them to prospective customers and answering questions.
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
2010 median pay: $23,110
4. Insurance sales agent
What they do: These agents help insurance companies generate new business by contacting potential customers and selling policies. An agent explains various plans and helps clients choose ones that suit them.
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
2010 median pay: $46,770
5. Real estate broker and sales agent
What they do: Real estate brokers and sales agents help clients buy, sell and rent properties. Brokers and agents do the same type of work, but brokers are licensed to manage their own real-estate businesses. Sales agents must work with a broker.
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
2010 median pay: $42,680
6. Retail sales worker
What they do: Retail sales workers include retail salespeople, who sell retail merchandise such as clothing, furniture and automobiles, and parts salespeople, who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts. Both groups help customers find the products they want and process payments.
Typical education level: Less than high school
2010 median pay: $20,990
7. Sales engineer
What they do: Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' parts and functions and must understand the scientific processes that make these products work.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
2010 median pay: $87,390
8. Securities, commodities and financial services sales agent
What they do: These agents connect buyers and sellers in financial markets. They sell securities to individuals, advise companies in search of investors and conduct trades.
Typical education level: Bachelor's degree
2010 median pay: $70,190
9. Travel agent
What they do: Travel agents sell transportation, lodging and admission to entertainment activities to individuals and groups who are planning trips. They offer advice on destinations, plan trip itineraries and make travel arrangements for clients.
Typical education level: High-school diploma or equivalent
2010 median pay: $31,870
10. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representative
What they do: Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies and other organizations. They contact customers, explain product features, answer any questions that their customers may have and negotiate prices.
Typical education level: Requirements vary depending on the type of product sold, from a high-school diploma or equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
2010 median pay: $56,620
Source: AOL