What Is a Product Specialist?

Product specialists coordinate and facilitate the development and launch of a specific product. They are problem solvers responsible for a product's smooth launch and positive customer reception.

This role is expected to grow above average in industries like information technology and health care. Explore the role of a product specialist, including your day-to-day responsibilities, the skills you’ll need to succeed, and the average salary you may expect. 

What is a product specialist?

A product specialist is an expert in a particular product or type of product. In this role, you will assist in the product's design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales to consumers. Product specialists work with individuals from different departments within an organization and interact with customers to ensure the success of a product, with a focus on the marketing and sales side of product development. In supporting all stages of a product’s life cycle, product specialists must exhibit proficiency in customer service skills, marketing, sales, and industry-specific product knowledge. 

Is a product manager similar to a product specialist?

Unlike a product manager, who may oversee a product's entire lifecycle, a product specialist specializes in product management that focuses more on a product's marketability. In this role, you may conduct market research to identify trends, collaborate with the marketing and sales team on advertising a product, figure out ways to improve sales, and make recommendations for improving a product. 

Types of product specialists 

Depending on factors like the employer and industry, a product specialist can work under other titles. Some of the different types of product specialists include: 

• Product consultant

  • Consults companies and organizations on the potential profitability of products 

  • Makes suggestions and helps to organize and develop product development teams 

• Product analyst

  • Analyzes aspects of a product such as cost, performance, and overall profitability 

  • Communicates findings to appropriate parties and makes research-based suggestions as needed 

• Product technician

  • Works on the engineering and manufacturing side of product development 

  • Ensures functionality and safety of a product before marketing to customers 

• Sales specialist

  • Specializes in customer relationships and customer service 

  • Collaborates with sales team members to close qualified sales  

Product specialist tasks and responsibilities

The tasks and responsibilities of a product specialist ensure the successful development and launch of a specific product. Product specialists conduct important research on customer needs and market trends to ensure a product meets the target customer's needs. As a product specialist, you'll communicate findings and make suggestions to product development teams and stakeholders when needed. A product specialist typically collaborates with other departments or employees within an organization. 

As a product specialist, your responsibilities will likely include: 

• Customer service: It’s critical to a product's success that it is well received by customers, they should feel the product sufficiently meets their needs. You may achieve this goal through customer feedback and analyzing current market trends. 

• Product knowledge: To become an expert on a specific product, you must know everything about it, which may require coordinating with engineering and manufacturing teams to understand it. Technical knowledge is a must when understanding a product. You'll need to be able to communicate the details of a product to customers, sales professionals, marketing professionals, and other product development professionals. 

• Sales: You'll ensure a product's success by training sales professionals to sell products to customers. In this role, you support sales professionals by attending conferences, conducting product demonstrations, and creating product release information. 

• Marketing: Product specialists conduct market research to identify trends and new market opportunities. It’s essential to collaborate with the marketing team to develop effective messaging for a market launch. You'll also track the performance of a product. 

As part of the role of product specialist, expect to perform these common tasks:

• Perform market research and analyze findings to identify trends 

• Research target customers and assess customer needs to meet demands 

• Suggest modifications to product design to help it stay competitive 

• Train other employees on the product 

• Oversee the launch of a product 

• Help the sales and marketing teams develop strategies to reach the target audience 

• Develop a sales price 

• Make suggestions to improve the profitability of a specific product 

Product specialist skills

Product specialists work in marketing, sales, customer service, and product development. The skills you need to become a product specialist will vary based on your employer and industry, with some common technical and workplace skills. 

Technical skills

Your technical skills as a product specialist may also vary based on the industry in which you work. Common technical skills often related to a product specialist include:

• Software programming 

• Programming languages 

• Project management 

• Engineering concepts 

• Sales floor 

• Product knowledge 

• Quality assurance 

• CRM systems 

• Technical support 

• Data analytics and reporting 

• Microsoft Windows 

Workplace skills

The workplace skills you’ll need to acquire as a product specialist may vary by employer and industry. Common workplace skills related to a product specialist include: 

• Communication 

• Attention to detail 

• Interpersonal skills

• Work ethic 

• Teamwork

• Organization 

• Leadership

• Problem-solving 

• Critical thinking 

• Analytical  

Product specialist salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, product specialists earn an average annual base salary of $83,525 in the US, excluding any bonuses or commissions resulting from sales [1]. Some companies may have a commission-based salary structure for product specialists in certain industries since this role relies heavily on product sales and marketing. Glassdoor reports salary plus commission and other benefits at an average of $115,329 per year [1]. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates a faster-than-average job outlook for related professions, a 6 percent growth rate for marketing manager jobs, and a 13 percent growth rate for market research analysts between 2022 and 2032 [3,4]. 

Factors such as location, education, experience, the industry in which you work, and your employer may impact your earning potential as a product specialist. 

Location 

Product specialist salary varies by where you live within the US. Working as a product specialist in certain cities and states impacts your earning potential. According to Zippia, the highest-paying areas in the US for product specialists are [5]:

Education 

Earning certifications and advanced degrees can equate to higher earnings as a product specialist. Gaining additional education and training may also be key in advancing your career path as a product specialist. Common certifications and designations you may earn as a product specialist include:

• Certified Product Manager offered by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM)

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). 

Experience 

Your years of experience as a product specialist affect your possible earnings, with more experienced product specialists typically earning more than those with fewer years working in the industry. According to data gathered and analyzed by Zippia, your average pay by years of experience may be [5]:

• Entry-level (0–2 years of experience): $53,918 a year 

• Mid-level (3–6 years of experience): $91,058 a year

• Senior-level (7–12 years of experience): $149,129 a year 

Industry 

Some industries pay more than others when hiring product specialists due to heightened demand for highly skilled individuals with technical knowledge that may extend beyond other industries. Some of the highest-paying industries for product specialists include [1]:

• Pharmaceutical and biotechnology: $120,707 

• Aerospace and defense: $114,480 

• Government and public administration: $114,480

• Management and consulting: $100,684 

• Information technology: $97,497 

Employer 

Staying on trend with the highest-paying industries, many of the highest-paying companies are in the IT and financial services industries. The more technical skills and knowledge an employer may require, the more they may pay. Employers that demand a more advanced or specialized skill set may also require additional degrees, education, and training. 

Some of the highest-paying employers for product specialists include [1]: 

• Meta: $243,085

• Microsoft: $242,076

• Cisco: $238,259

• Informatica: $208,463

• Autodesk: $201,120

• Google: $190,973

• McKinsey & Company: $190,248

• Dell Technologies: $177,575

Product specialist career path

Common entry-level positions for a product specialist may focus on sales positions since so much of a product specialist’s responsibility involves the sale and marketing of products. These positions typically require three years or less of professional experience. Common positions that could lead to a product specialist job include:

• Sales associate

• Sales representative

• Customer service representative

• Cashier

• Product support specialist 

• Product marketing coordinator

• Product operations analyst 

Read more: What Is a Product Analyst? Skills, Salary, and Requirements

Education and training

Product specialists commonly hold a bachelor’s degree in a field such as engineering, business, marketing, or related fields. According to Zippia, the majority of product specialists hold a bachelor’s degree, with the overall education breakdown of product specialists as follows [6]:

• High school diploma: 8.3 percent

• Associate degree: 15.2 percent 

• Bachelor's degree: 64.3 percent 

• Master's degree: 7.4 percent 

Business, communication, and marketing are among the most common degrees held by product specialists with college degrees. However, if you work in a specific industry or know what industry you want to pursue, such as pharmaceuticals or information technology, you might want to pursue a degree in a field related to the industry that you want to work in.

Getting started in product management with Coursera

A role as a product specialist can combine your passion for technology with your love for customer service and helping people. The job offers a competitive salary and several career paths.  

Start your product specialist career by enrolling in an online course. You can find many courses that help you build key skills you’ll need throughout your career. Consider the Brand and Product Management offered on Coursera to learn more about the customer experience, brand development, and more. Upon completion, gain a shareable Professional Certificate to include in your resume, CV, or LinkedIn profile.