Mid-Level

Containers Sales Representative

The packaging solutions specialist — selling containers and packaging to manufacturers and distributors.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
S
I
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Containers Sales Representatives
Employment concentration · ~392 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Containers Sales Representative

As a Containers Sales Representative, you sell containers and packaging — bottles, jars, cans, boxes, drums, or specialized packaging solutions. Your customers are manufacturers, food producers, or distributors who need containers for their products.

Your day involves calling on customers, understanding their packaging needs, presenting solutions, and managing orders. A food producer might need new bottles; a chemical company might need drums. You need to understand container specifications and how they fit customer requirements.

The challenge is the technical nature of packaging and the competitive market. Containers must meet specific requirements — size, material, closure type, regulatory compliance. Price competition is common. Your value comes from understanding customer needs and providing reliable supply.

RelationshipsAbove avg
AchievementModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
IndependenceModerate
RecognitionLower
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Container typeIndustry focusCustom vs stockTerritory scopeVolume expectations
Container sales varies by product type and customer segment. Glass bottles differ from plastic containers or industrial drums. Food packaging has different requirements than industrial chemicals. Custom packaging involves more consultation; stock items are more transactional.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Containers Sales Representatives (SOC 41-4012.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the Containers Sales Representative career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Packaging knowledge
Understanding container specifications
2
Account management
Growing business within accounts
3
Solution selling
Matching containers to needs
What types of containers does this company supply?
What customer segments are the focus?
How much is custom work versus stock items?
How is the territory structured?
What's the compensation structure?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$38K–$134K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
1.3M
U.S. Employment
+0.3%
10yr Growth
115K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$58K$55K$52K201920202021202220232024$52K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessNegotiationPersuasionCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingCoordinationJudgment and Decision Making
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
41-4012.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.