Assistant department head vs shift supervisor

The differences between assistant department heads and shift supervisors 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 shift supervisor. Additionally, an assistant department head has an average salary of $65,309, which is higher than the $34,141 average annual salary of a shift supervisor.

The top three skills for an assistant department head include ladders, sales floor and customer service. The most important skills for a shift supervisor are cash handling, store operations, and store management.

Assistant department head vs shift supervisor overview

	Assistant Department Head	Shift Supervisor
Yearly salary	$65,309	$34,141
Hourly rate	$31.40	$16.41
Growth rate	-	10%
Number of jobs	41,690	282,079
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
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 shift supervisor do?

Shift supervisors are responsible for the employees assigned to the shift that they are handling. Shift supervisors ensure that the employees who were expected to report to work at the specific shift came in. They also ensure that the employees are doing their jobs while at work. Shift supervisors are expected to ensure that employees are really working during working hours and properly delegate work. Shift supervisors ensure that the employees are productive and efficient in their jobs. They are expected to provide coaching and guidance so that the employees will be able to reach the goals assigned to the work team.

Assistant department head vs shift supervisor salary

Assistant department heads and shift supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assistant Department Head	Shift Supervisor
Average salary	$65,309	$34,141
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $106,000	Between $26,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City	Centereach, NY	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	New York	Hawaii
Best paying company	Princeton University	AbbVie
Best paying industry	Energy	Manufacturing

Differences between assistant department head and shift supervisor education

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

	Assistant Department Head	Shift Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Assistant department head vs shift supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between assistant department heads' and shift supervisors' demographics:

	Assistant Department Head	Shift Supervisor
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1%	Male, 49.1% Female, 50.9%
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, 8.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between assistant department head and shift supervisor 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.

Shift supervisor example responsibilities.

Content include math skills, how to manage a monthly budget, job searches, and managing a home.
Manage a team of energy consultants in daily production, SPH (sales per hr.
Evaluate daily job objectives and utilize knowledge of math, physics, and engineering to achieve the desired results.
Manage a part-time managerial shift supervisor position that require daily bookkeeping in POS system.
Prepare overall security plans and manage security operations of organization, including assignments, staffing and payroll.
Carry out administrative functions including tracking ordering and managing inventory, and support the manager in monitoring store security and cleanliness.

Assistant department head vs shift supervisor skills

Common assistant department head skills

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

Common shift supervisor skills

Cash Handling, 19%
Store Operations, 9%
Store Management, 9%
Loss Prevention, 7%
Food Products, 7%
Cash Flow, 5%

Assistant Department Head vs. similar jobs

Assistant Department Head related careers

Assistant Department Head related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Sales Industry
Assistant Department Head
Assistant Department Head vs Shift Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse sales jobs