How to become a parts salesperson

Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What parts salespersons do

• Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
• Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
• Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
• Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
• Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
• Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.

Skills that matter most

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Mathematics

Is parts salesperson a good career?

On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 24% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• North Dakota $48,600
• Colorado $47,660
• Minnesota $47,030
• Washington $46,830
• Iowa $46,670

Parts Salespersons salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.