Assistant department head vs key holder

The differences between assistant department heads and key holders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant department head and a key holder. Additionally, an assistant department head has an average salary of $65,309, which is higher than the $31,779 average annual salary of a key holder.

The top three skills for an assistant department head include ladders, sales floor and customer service. The most important skills for a key holder are sales floor, product knowledge, and visual standards.

Assistant department head vs key holder overview

	Assistant Department Head	Key Holder
Yearly salary	$65,309	$31,779
Hourly rate	$31.40	$15.28
Growth rate	-	-6%
Number of jobs	41,690	431,956
Job satisfaction	-	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	6	6

What does an assistant department head do?

An assistant department head is responsible for monitoring the operations of the department, together with the department head. Assistant department heads' duties include managing clients' inquiries and complaints, developing strategic solutions to improve clients' satisfaction, and identifying business opportunities to increase revenues and the business' profitability. They will also work on monitoring the staff's performance and addressing their concerns, creating sales reports, maintaining budget goals, and organizing training. An assistant department head must have excellent leadership and communication skills to help in achieving the department's objectives.

What does a key holder do?

A keyholder is responsible for ensuring the store's daily security before and after the operation. Keyholders' duties include assisting with administrative tasks, handling customers' inquiries, managing and escalating customers' complaints, monitoring the alarm system, keeping track of the deliveries, supporting staff training, cooperating in company's events, and recommending operational strategies to meet business goals and objectives. A keyholder must have excellent customer service and time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially during high customer volume.

Assistant department head vs key holder salary

Assistant department heads and key holders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assistant Department Head	Key Holder
Average salary	$65,309	$31,779
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $106,000	Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Centereach, NY	New York, NY
Highest paying state	New York	Wisconsin
Best paying company	Princeton University	Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Best paying industry	Energy	Manufacturing

Differences between assistant department head and key holder education

There are a few differences between an assistant department head and a key holder in terms of educational background:

	Assistant Department Head	Key Holder
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Assistant department head vs key holder demographics

Here are the differences between assistant department heads' and key holders' demographics:

	Assistant Department Head	Key Holder
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%	Male, 28.1% Female, 71.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between assistant department head and key holder duties and responsibilities

Assistant department head example responsibilities.

Generate and implement new rules and regulations for the disciplinary department which lead to streamlining the process for separating challenge sailors.
Manage a high volume of patient information from authorizing diagnostic procedures and scheduling patients.
Perform all duties require while working in a retail environment such as POS cash handling, customer service and sales.
Stoop, climb ladders, and lift heavy loads during set-up for events.
Administer Microsoft PowerPoint training lectures and meeting/ briefings require by OSHA and NAVOSH.
Collaborate with patients, Tricare, and providers DOD and civilian coordinating specialty care referrals.

Key holder example responsibilities.

Achieve and exceed store and company sales and KPI goals.
Manage monetary transactions and POS operations.
Used upselling techniques daily when selling gaming systems and accessories.
Maintain operational duties in the manager's absence including scheduling and review of KPI reports.
Used social networking, such as Facebook, to keep customers update on new arrivals and merchandise.
Maintain a cleanly environment for customers, employees, and other animals, especially after any pet messes.

Assistant department head vs key holder skills

Common assistant department head skills

Ladders, 29%
Sales Floor, 28%
Customer Service, 11%
Curriculum Development, 3%
Professional Development, 3%
Loss Prevention, 3%

Common key holder skills

Sales Floor, 18%
Product Knowledge, 11%
Visual Standards, 9%
Bank Deposits, 7%
Loss Prevention, 7%
Store Management, 6%

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Assistant Department Head
Assistant Department Head vs Key Holder

Updated January 8, 2025

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