What’s the Best Degree for Medical Device Sales? Here’s the Truth
Breaking into medical device sales is one of the most competitive and rewarding career moves you can make. The earning potential is high, the growth opportunities are strong, and the impact you make on patient outcomes is real.
But one of the biggest questions aspiring reps ask is:
“What degree do I need to get into medical device sales?”
Here’s the truth — while certain degrees can give you an advantage, none of them guarantee you the job. Medical device sales is a field where your skills, mindset, and ability to connect with healthcare professionals often matter just as much (or more) than the specific degree you hold.
Let’s break down the degrees that help the most — and what really matters.
1. Business or Marketing Degrees
These are the most common degrees among medical sales reps.
Why They Help
Teach communication, persuasion, and sales strategy
Provide a foundation in customer psychology
Look highly relevant to hiring managers
Best for:
People with a natural interest in sales, networking, and product education.
2. Healthcare Degrees (Nursing, Biology, Kinesiology, PT, etc.)
These degrees give you instant credibility with surgeons, nurses, and OR teams because you already understand medicine.
Why They Help
You speak the language of healthcare
You understand anatomy, physiology, and patient care
Clinicians trust reps with clinical backgrounds
Best for:
Clinicians who want a career change, former PT/OT/nursing students, athletic trainers, or anyone with experience in healthcare.
3. Engineering or STEM Degrees
Some device companies love hiring candidates with technical expertise, especially in:
Robotics
Surgical navigation
Orthopedics
Implantable devices
Why They Help
You understand complex medical technologies
You’re skilled at problem-solving
You can explain technical concepts to surgeons clearly
Best for:
People who enjoy highly technical products or want to work in surgical robotics.
4. No Degree? Yes, You Can Still Break In
This surprises most people, but it’s true.
Many successful reps come from:
Retail management
Car sales
Fitness sales
Customer service
Hospitality
Military
If you can show:
✔ consistent performance
✔ relationship-building skills
✔ resilience
✔ strong communication
…you can get hired.
Some companies may prefer a degree, but not all require one — especially for associate-level roles.
So What’s the Best Degree Overall?
The best degree is the one that helps you stand out based on your background.
If you’re a people-person → Business/Marketing
If you love clinical environments → Nursing/Biology/Healthcare
If you’re technical → Engineering/STEM
If you have no degree → Strong sales experience + coaching
Because in medical device sales, degrees can help —
but skills, drive, and coachability matter most.
What Hiring Managers Care About More Than Your Degree
Here’s what they actually look for:
Can you build trust quickly?
Are you comfortable in the OR or hospital setting?
Can you handle rejection and pressure?
Do you show up coachable and hungry?
Have you succeeded in performance-based roles?
Your degree opens the door.
Your performance gets you hired.
The right degree can give you an edge, but it doesn’t define your chances. Medical device sales rewards skill, discipline, communication, and persistence far more than the piece of paper hanging on your wall.
If you’re passionate about breaking into this field, the opportunity is there — regardless of what you studied.
Ready to Break Into Medical Sales?
Get the coaching, insider knowledge, interview prep, and network you need to stand out.
👉 Join the EYS Skool Community:
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