What are the pros and cons of a commissioned based job vs hourly vs salary?

The pros: You get paid what you're worth. The cons: You get paid what you're worth.

Regarding earnings:

Pro? Higher ceiling.
Con? Lower floor.

Do not, repeat do not, I say again do not take a straight commission position unless you have been in the position for a least a year, or have a residual commission that is already paying at least a 3rd of your income. This is not to say there are not some good companies to work for, but it has been my experiance that the commission only jobs do not fill your gas tank and if you can't go make face to face sales calls, you can't earn money. all to often people think that they can start out on the phone, but that in most cases is a failure because its hard to see the emotion on someones face over the telephone. If a company is worth working for there will be a base income (with a guareentee commission) that can get you out and moving. when you are driving around and being active in the sales territory you will find stuff by accident.