Outside Sales Representative Jobs in Houston, TX
Outside sales reps in Houston live in their cars, and in a metro with no zoning and three ring roads a territory can run from the Inner Loop to Baytown or Brazoria County. Sysco, ADP, Cintas and Sunbelt Rentals all hire field reps here. Openings are below, then who is hiring and what it pays.
Current outside sales representative Openings in Houston, TX
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Outside Sales Representative Work in Houston
Outside sales in Houston is territory work, and territories here are drawn by freeway. A foodservice rep might cover the restaurants inside the Loop, a payroll rep might own the small businesses off the Northwest Freeway and Beltway 8, and an equipment rental rep might call on plants and contractors from Pasadena down SH 288 to Angleton. Sysco, which is based in Houston, lists separate sales consultant territories for the Inner Loop and for Atascocita and Baytown.
What sets Houston apart is the industrial customer base. Sunbelt Rentals' industrial power territory in Angleton, for example, sells large generators, air compressors and temperature control equipment to contractors, manufacturers and facilities, and those buyers want reps who know the product. That is why technical and industrial outside sales pays well here: federal wage data puts the median Houston rep selling technical products at $100,980 a year.
Top Houston Employers Hiring Outside Sales Representatives
These employers have listed field sales roles in the Houston area on their own career sites:
- Sysco - the Houston-based foodservice distributor hires sales consultants for territories including the Inner Loop and Atascocita/Baytown.
- ADP - its Westway Park Blvd office in northwest Houston hires entry-level field reps to sell payroll and HR services to businesses with 1 to 49 employees.
- Cintas - hires uniform and facility services sales reps out of its east side and southeast Houston locations.
- Sunbelt Rentals - hires outside sales reps for industrial power equipment, including an Angleton territory with a company vehicle.
- Comcast Business - posts small business account executive territories in North Houston, Southeast Houston and Bear Creek.
Outside Sales Representative Salaries in Houston
- Entry level: about $40,000 to $55,000 a year, base plus commission.
- Experienced: roughly $70,000 to $100,000 a year.
- Senior and technical: $130,000 to $185,000 or more for top industrial and technical reps.
These are estimates built from BLS May 2025 wage data for the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro, where wholesale and manufacturing sales reps earn a median of $73,030 and the top tenth more than $137,000, and reps selling technical products earn a median of $100,980 with the top tenth above $186,000. Employer postings line up: Sunbelt Rentals has posted a base of $40,000 to $67,761 plus commission and a company vehicle for an industrial territory. What moves pay most is the product, the size of the accounts and whether the car, mileage and phone are covered.
How to Become an Outside Sales Representative in Houston
Entry field roles usually want a high school diploma, some customer-facing experience and a valid driver's license, since the job is driving a territory; ADP says a degree is welcome but not required. Industrial rental and equipment roles ask for B2B sales or equipment industry experience. There is no Texas state license for outside sales, except for regulated products such as insurance, licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance. The University of Houston's A.R. "Tony" and Maria J. Sanchez Program for Excellence in Selling at the Bauer College of Business and Houston City College's Sales occupational skills award, taught at the Central, Spring Branch and Eastside campuses, are the two local sales programs.
What the Job Involves
Outside sales reps plan a route, visit prospects and existing customers, run presentations and demonstrations, price and negotiate orders, and follow up until the account is set up. Between visits they prospect by phone, update the CRM from the road, and work with inside sales and operations to make sure orders are delivered. Results are measured against a monthly or quarterly quota.
Skills Employers Look For
- Self-direction and a disciplined weekly route plan
- Prospecting and door-to-door or cold visit skills
- Presenting to owners, buyers and plant managers
- Negotiating price and contract terms
- CRM updates from a phone or tablet
- Clean driving record and comfort with long drive days
- Technical product knowledge for industrial sales
Career Path and Advancement
Many Houston outside reps start in inside sales or a small business territory, then move to larger commercial or industrial accounts. From there the path runs to senior territory rep, key account manager, and sales manager for a branch or region. Reps who learn industrial equipment or energy-sector customers can move into the highest-paid technical sales roles in the metro.
Related Careers in Houston
These Houston guides cover closely related work:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do outside sales reps in Houston get a company car?
Some do. Sunbelt Rentals, for example, has posted industrial territories with a company vehicle. Others pay a car allowance or mileage, so ask how the car, gas and tolls are covered before you accept.
How much do outside sales reps make in Houston?
Entry field reps usually earn about $40,000 to $55,000 with commission. BLS data puts the Houston median at $73,030 for wholesale and manufacturing reps and $100,980 for technical sales reps.
Do I need a degree for outside sales in Houston?
Not always. ADP hires entry-level field reps without a degree, and many distributors value customer service or retail experience. Technical and industrial sales roles are more likely to want a degree or equipment experience.
Do I need a license for outside sales in Texas?
Not for most products. Insurance agents need a Texas Department of Insurance license, and real estate agents need one from the Texas Real Estate Commission, but selling equipment, services or supplies needs no state license.
How big is a Houston sales territory?
It depends on the employer. A foodservice territory may cover a few neighborhoods inside the Loop, while an industrial rental rep may drive from the Ship Channel to Brazoria County. Toll roads like Beltway 8 and the Westpark Tollway are part of the job.
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