Salaries and costs
Sales salaries in Swansea tend to sit a touch below the South East, with entry-level inside sales roles around £22,000 to £26,000 and a common OTE of £28,000 to £35,000. Field sales and account managers often see a basic of £28,000 to £38,000, with an OTE of £40,000 to £60,000. Senior hires and commercial leaders can command £50,000-£80,000, with equity or car allowances. Temp agencies quote £12 to £16 per hour for telesales and customer retention shifts, with uplifts for evenings or weekends. Recruitment fees often range from 15% to 22% for contingent placements, rising to 25% or more for retained searches. Clarify agency costs at the outset, including any rebate periods, staged payments, and temp-to-perm conversions.
Qualifications
Most sales roles in Swansea prioritise track record over certificates, yet product knowledge is still valued. SaaS sellers talk confidently about CRMs and funnels. FMCG reps know route-to-market, planograms, and EPOS. Construction sales value CSCS awareness and comfort on site. Regulated sectors may ask for DBS checks for in-home or school visits. Welsh language is a plus in some community-facing posts, so note it early in the process if it matters for your teams.
Regional or geographic variations
City centre firms near Wind Street and the Quadrant often seek retail and customer-facing staff. B2B roles concentrate around Swansea Enterprise Park, Parc Felindre, and SA1 Waterfront, with quick access to the M4 at junctions 44 to 47. Fabian Way links Swansea to Neath Port Talbot, opening up industrial and engineering clients that need technical sales. Hospitality and leisure across Mumbles and the Gower spike in season, which can shape temp headcount for upselling and events.
Local hiring challenges
Employers report high application volumes for entry roles, yet conversion can be tricky when driving is required, or territory sizes are large. Some candidates prefer hybrid settings, so on-site telesales can see higher churn. Agencies help by screening for commute fit, licence requirements, and resilience in outbound roles. Quick response times keep good closers engaged, which aids retention and protects pipelines.
Roles and career paths
Common briefs include business development, account management, internal sales, telesales, sales admin, and customer success. Technical firms hire product specialists who blend demos with post-sale care. Strong sellers can step into key account ownership or move sideways into marketing, bid support, or revenue operations. Many agencies run temp-to-perm routes that let both sides test culture and targets before a full offer.
Temporary, permanent, and contract work
Sales recruitment agencies in Swansea place temps for campaigns, product launches, and peak trading, with weekly timesheets and holiday pay factored into rates. Permanent roles remain the mainstay for territory and account ownership. Contract work suits CRM migrations, tender pushes, or maternity cover in sales operations. Recruiters will map notice periods, start dates, and pipeline drawdown to avoid revenue gaps.
Executive search and senior hires
Employment firms with executive search teams handle sales director and head of sales mandates with agreed milestones and market mapping. Shortlists typically include five to eight profiles, supported by competency interviews and reference checks. Expect retainers to be split across kick-off, shortlist, and offer stages. Clarity on bonus schemes, car policy, and long-term incentives speeds acceptance and reduces offer fallout.
Working with recruiters and consultants
Local recruitment consultants will shape the adverts to match the Swansea labour market and push the reach across job boards and social platforms. Many staffing agencies keep bench candidates for rapid starts in call centres and inside sales. Employers should agree on SLAs, interview slots, and feedback windows. Candidates benefit when they register with an agency, tailor their CV to focus on numbers and wins, and set realistic commute limits.
Key sectors and employers in the region
Technology and fintech companies around SA1 are looking for SDRs and customer success agents who are comfortable in CRM-led environments. Manufacturing and engineering along the M4 corridor need solution sellers who can read drawings and talk about lead times. Healthcare suppliers, education vendors, and local service providers lean on tender experience and patient- or parent-friendly communication. Retail and leisure across the coast require up-selling and repeat trade skills, with weekend cover included in the rota during busy months.
Pay rates and retention
Clear targets, fair territories, and sensible pay structures lift retention. Employers in Swansea often pair a base with tiered commission, accelerators for over-target months, and quarterly bonuses tied to margin. For temps, clean briefs on call volumes, scripts, and QA help hold quality. Agencies can advise on pay rates to avoid false savings that lead to higher turnover and weak customer experience.
Common job roles agencies recruit for
Sales recruitment agencies in Swansea place SDRs, BDMs, account executives, account managers, sales administrators, customer success executives, telesales agents, appointment setters, merchandisers, retail supervisors, and sales directors. Executive search teams cover heads of sales and commercial leaders. Temp agencies cover contact centre peaks and event-led sales support.
Quick facts and frequently asked questions
What are typical recruitment fees for sales roles in Swansea?
Contingent fees often range from 15% to 22%, with senior or retained work stretching higher depending on scope and scarcity.
What base salaries do B2B account managers see in Swansea?
Many briefs land at £28,000-£38,000 basic, with OTE between £40,000 and £60,000, depending on sector and territory size.
Do agencies place Welsh-speaking sales staff?
Yes. Some employers value the Welsh language for community engagement, so mention this early, and agencies will screen for it.
How fast can a temp telesales team start?
Many staffing agencies can stand up a small team within a few days if scripts, shifts, and systems access are ready.
Should I register with an agency as a candidate?
Yes. Register with an agency to access unadvertised roles, tidy your CV around targets and wins, and set clear location and shift preferences.