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Wahid Musawi · Co-founder · TelesalesUpdated 25 Jul 2026
Commission-only or a salary?
Self-employed. You apply, brands match you on experience; which is exactly what makes it wrong for some people.
Wahid Musawi · Co-founder · TelesalesUpdated 25 Jul 2026Short answer
A salaried phone-sales job pays you for time; commission-only pays you for results. Take the salary if you need a predictable amount every month or cannot absorb a bad week. Take commission-only if you can already sell, want to set your own hours, and would rather have no ceiling than no risk.
Side by side
Seven rows. Salary takes four.
| Employed, salaried | Commission-only | |
|---|---|---|
| Predictable monthly income | Yes, same amount, same day | No. It moves with your results |
| Holiday and sick pay | Yes, statutory minimum | None. You are self-employed |
| Who sets your hours | Your employer, on a rota | You, every day |
| Ceiling on earnings | Your band, reviewed annually | Your conversion and your hours |
| Time to start | 2–6 weeks: interview, offer, notice | Days, once a brand matches you |
| A bad week | You are still paid | You earn little or nothing |
| Admin burden | None, PAYE handles it | You register, invoice and file your own tax |
Which one
Deciding honestly
Take the salaryIf any applyA missed month breaks your rent · you want training on the job · you would rather not file your own tax · you are new to selling and need the reps paid for.
Take commissionIf any applyYou already know you can close · you want the evenings you choose, not a rota · you have other income while you ramp · you would rather be paid for outcomes than hours.
NoneGuaranteed hours or rota
YoursHours, campaign and method
14 daysCooling-off before commission is payable
Sources
Where this comes from
1National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage: who gets the minimum wage, GOV.UK · checked 25 Jul 2026
2Employment status: self-employed and contractor, GOV.UK · checked 25 Jul 2026
3RingoMarket seller agreement, campaign terms and payout policy, internal · current
Still unsure?Treat it as second income first. Nothing stops you keeping a salaried job while you find out whether the phone suits you.
Apply, free