Highest-Paying Assistant Store Manager Jobs [2026]
Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government and corporate data, alongside insights from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has developed average salary estimates for various jobs across the United States. This analysis highlights the highest-paying assistant store manager roles, providing valuable insights for career planning in 2026.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of assistant store managers:
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Associate Manager ranks as the highest-paid type of assistant store manager, with an average salary of $83,246 and an hourly rate of $40.02.
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The second highest-paying position is Second Assistant Manager, earning an average salary of $67,965.
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The average salary for assistant store managers is $40,759 per year, translating to an average hourly pay of $19.60.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Selecting a career path can be challenging. While compensation shouldn’t be the sole deciding factor, it plays a crucial role in your decision-making process. Understanding the highest-paying assistant store manager roles can help you strategize your career advancement effectively.
Here are the top salaries for different types of assistant store managers:
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Associate Manager
Average Salary: $83,246
Associate managers oversee the support and clerical staff, recruiting and training employees to perform various tasks, such as greeting customers and managing communications. They also focus on staff motivation, adherence to company policies, and team supervision. Required qualifications typically include a high school diploma, leadership skills, and proficiency in computer literacy, bookkeeping, and customer service.
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Second Assistant Manager
Average Salary: $67,965
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Co-Manager
Average Salary: $64,962
Co-managers supervise operations and perform administrative tasks to assist the main manager. Their responsibilities include delegating tasks, evaluating performance, maintaining records, identifying opportunities, and coordinating with other staff. They may also handle hiring and training, as well as enforcing company policies.
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Assistant Manager/Merchandise
Average Salary: $57,278
Assistant managers for merchandise oversee inventory in retail environments. Their duties include managing stock levels, approving purchase requisitions, and preparing for peak sales periods. They also train store employees to ensure effective operations.
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First Assistant Manager
Average Salary: $55,948
First assistant managers support general managers in daily operations, ensuring quality service and products while leading staff and creating business plans to meet organizational goals.
Below is a complete table detailing the average pay for various assistant store manager positions, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Assistant Store Managers
Methodology
Zippia compiles publicly available data from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to formulate salary estimates.
Additionally, our data science team examines job postings and corporate resources for the most current salary information for assistant store managers.
After gathering the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title’s salary estimate. For more information on our salary estimates, you can read our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Assistant Store Manager Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid assistant store manager job?
The highest-paid assistant store manager job is an associate manager. Associate Managers earn an average salary of $83,246, equating to $40.02 per hour.
Associate managers are tasked with overseeing support and clerical staff, recruiting and training employees to fulfill various roles like customer greeting and phone management. They also ensure staff motivation and adherence to corporate policies. Qualifications typically include a high school diploma, leadership skills, and a strong work ethic, along with competence in computer skills, bookkeeping, and customer service.
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What is a good salary for an assistant store manager?
A good salary for an assistant store manager is $40,759 or more. This average indicates that earning at least this amount is above the typical pay scale.
However, it’s essential to recognize that salaries can vary significantly based on location and company pay scales relative to the cost of living. It’s advisable to research average salaries in your area for your level of experience.
For those starting as assistant store managers, the average entry-level salary is approximately $16,788, indicating that the overall average includes a broad range of skills and experience.
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Do Assistant Store Manager jobs pay well?
No, assistant store manager jobs generally do not pay exceptionally well. While salaries vary, the average assistant store manager salary of $40,759 is slightly below the average national salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Nevertheless, there is potential for higher earnings, with the top 10% of assistant store managers averaging $47,013 annually.
Salary levels will depend on experience, industry, and location. It’s essential to do your research on local salary ranges and be prepared to negotiate based on your findings.
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Where do assistant store managers earn the most?
Assistant Store Managers tend to earn the most in Tennessee. In Tennessee, the average annual salary is $42,353, with an average hourly wage of $20.36.
Following Tennessee, the states with the highest average salaries for assistant store managers include Wisconsin, North Carolina, and New Jersey, with average annual salaries of $46,771, $44,413, and $51,645 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid assistant store manager salaries are:
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New York, NY – $52,070
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Sioux Falls, SD – $48,672
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Madison, WI – $46,408
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
