Average Conversion Rates by Industry for B2B Calling Campaigns
Industry Intelligence Center · Updated: November 2025 · Reviewed by: SICCODE Research Team
Conversion rates in telemarketing vary by industry, offer, and data quality. By segmenting your audience with verified SIC and NAICS codes, you can measure performance at the vertical level and funnel calling resources to the most responsive sectors. This page provides an orientation to common benchmarks and how to use them to optimize ROI. For additional benchmarks and strategy insights, reference How SIC & NAICS Targeting Improves Telemarketing Efficiency.
Definitions: From Connect to Close
- Connect rate: Percent of dials that reach a live person.
- Qualification rate: Connects that meet your ICP criteria.
- Appointment rate: Connects that convert into scheduled meetings.
- Opportunity rate: Appointments that become active deals.
- Close rate: Opportunities that convert to customers.
Illustrative Benchmarks by Vertical
| Industry (SIC) | Connect | Appointment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Services (87) | 12–18% | 4–7% | Responsive to value and compliance positioning |
| Manufacturing (20–39) | 10–15% | 3–5% | Lead with process efficiency and cost savings |
| Healthcare (80) | 9–14% | 3–5% | Focus on reliability, scheduling, and outcomes |
| Construction (15–17) | 8–12% | 2–4% | Seasonality impacts connect windows |
| Wholesale Trade (50–51) | 11–16% | 3–5% | Products and logistics resonate strongly |
These ranges are directional and improve with verified targeting and rigorous phone verification. Your real baseline will depend on the fit of your offer and the sophistication of your script and agents. For detailed breakdowns by vertical, see Business List By SIC Code and Business List By NAICS Code.
How to Use Benchmarks
- Set expectations: Use vertical ranges to guide team goals.
- Prioritize industries: Concentrate dials where appointment conversion is highest.
- Iterate scripts: Tweak messaging for vertical pain points and objections.
- Reinvest: Scale budgets into the best-performing SIC cohorts first.
Data Quality is the Multiplier
Verified, industry-matched call lists are the fastest way to lift conversion rates. See About Our Business Data and Methodology & Data Verification to understand how accuracy translates into measurable KPI gains.
Example: Prioritizing by Appointment Yield
A logistics software vendor tested six SIC cohorts. Two cohorts delivered 2× the appointment rate of the others, so they reallocated 60% of dials to those codes. Appointment volume grew 70% with no change in headcount, confirming the power of classification-driven prioritization. For more on building lists that maximize appointments, explore Build Your List and How It Works.
Next Steps
Establish your own benchmarks by industry, double down on top performers, and keep refining with verified SIC/NAICS lists. Stay informed on compliance with Phone Verification & DNC Compliance Explained.