Higher Base or Higher Commission? What Reps Get Wrong

Ready to break into medical sales? Join the RepPath Academy today: reppath.com/pages/pricing

That $200K OTE on the job posting isn't the full story. In this episode, Joe Licata breaks down what medical sales companies don't tell you about compensation, and why the highest base salary isn't always the best offer.

Joe walks through the real difference between device and pharma pay structures, why a bigger base often means a smaller ceiling, and the exact questions to ask (and when to ask them) so you're never blindsided after you sign.

What you'll learn in this episode:

Why device roles often start with a lower base but higher overall earning potential, and why pharma tends to flip that script
The truth about "OTE" and why it is never a guarantee
What a draw actually is and how it can quietly cut your commissions off early
Whether your base salary can change or disappear after your first year
Why quotas climb year after year, and how to tell if a jump is normal or a red flag
How to figure out how fast a company actually reimburses your expenses
The right time in the interview process to bring up compensation questions (hint: it's not the first interview)
Why asking tough questions about pay is a green flag, not a dealbreaker, for the right manager

Whether you're in pharma, device, diagnostics, DME, or distribution, this episode gives you the framework to evaluate any offer beyond the numbers on the page.

Ready to break into medical sales or take your career to the next level? The RepPath Academy is standing by. We work with you until you get the job, no one else offers that. Visit reppath.com or DM Joe directly to book your appointment.

Subscribe to the channel for new episodes every week, and drop your compensation questions in the comments. We might cover them on a future show.