How big is the sales profession?

I came across a press release recently which included reference to a prediction by Gerhard Gschwandtner (Selling Power) that, of the 18 million salespeople currently in the United States, fewer than 3 million will be needed by 2020.

Does 18 million sound correct? Does 3 million sound correct? -Community Mailbox

Re: How big is the sales profession?#2

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Does 18 million sound correct?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment estimates (May 2009) show 13,715,050 employees in sales and related occupations. Note that this does not include self-employed workers.

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Does 3 million sound correct?

The Occupational Outlook Handbook (2010-11 Edition) shows that all of the sales and related occupations, with the exception of "Travel Agents", are expecting growth over the 2008–18 period.

There another thread about this - http://www.salespractice.com/forums/t-11784.html -Jeff Blackwell