W2 or 1099 Medical Sales — Which Should You Choose?

Income, flexibility, risk, and lifestyle differ dramatically. Here’s how to choose honestly.

W2 Roles

  • • Base salary + commission
  • • Benefits & expense reimbursement
  • • Lower income volatility
  • • Less flexibility

1099 Roles

  • • Commission-heavy or commission-only
  • • Self-managed taxes & benefits
  • • Higher upside, higher risk
  • • More territory freedom

The Honest Take

Many top performers start W2 to learn the market, then transition to 1099 once they control relationships and territory dynamics.

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