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Assistant manager retail vs associate manager

The differences between assistant managers retail and associate managers 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 manager retail and an associate manager. Additionally, an associate manager has an average salary of $83,246, which is higher than the $32,861 average annual salary of an assistant manager retail.

The top three skills for an assistant manager retail include customer service, retail management and retail store. The most important skills for an associate manager are PET, POS, and sales floor.

Assistant manager retail vs associate manager overview

Assistant Manager RetailAssociate Manager
Yearly salary$32,861$83,246
Hourly rate$15.80$40.02
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs356,646420,292
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4344
Years of experience66

What does an assistant manager retail do?

An assistant retail manager is responsible for monitoring daily store operations, managing and delegating staff's tasks, and ensuring the cleanliness and orderliness of the store's facilities. Assistant retail managers supervise the adequacy of the store's inventory, create purchase requests, and inspect store displays. They also assist customers with their inquiries and concerns, resolve complaints, and process item replacements and refunds as needed. An assistant retail manager must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in maintaining the overall store performance to reach sales goals and objectives.

What does an associate manager do?

Associate managers are responsible for overseeing the support and clerical staff of the company. They recruit and train employees who perform different tasks that include greeting customers, answering phones, and faxing documents. They also perform other duties, including keeping employees' motivation, ensuring that everyone understands the company's guidelines and policies, and supervising other staff members. To be qualified as an associate manager, one should have a high school diploma, leadership skills, and a strong work ethic. One should also have the necessary computer skills, bookkeeping skills, and customer service skills.

Assistant manager retail vs associate manager salary

Assistant managers retail and associate managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Manager RetailAssociate Manager
Average salary$32,861$83,246
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $55,000 And $124,000
Highest paying CityKnoxville, TNWashington, DC
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNew Jersey
Best paying companyWhitney Museum of American ArtPayPal
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between assistant manager retail and associate manager education

There are a few differences between an assistant manager retail and an associate manager in terms of educational background:

Assistant Manager RetailAssociate Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiUniversity of Pennsylvania

Assistant manager retail vs associate manager demographics

Here are the differences between assistant managers retail' and associate managers' demographics:

Assistant Manager RetailAssociate Manager
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 39.0% Female, 61.0%Male, 45.5% Female, 54.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between assistant manager retail and associate manager duties and responsibilities

Assistant manager retail example responsibilities.

  • Manage the day-to-day operation of tourist boutique merchandising and selling jewelry, souvenirs and eclectic artwork.
  • Review of monthly financial reports, budget analysis, loss prevention, payroll expenses and compliance with federal and state regulations.
  • Maintain optimal customer service while facilitating sales of name brand/high end jewelry.
  • Conduct group/individual reading, math and science activities.
  • Participate in fundraiser, local charity pet projects, and philanthropy events.
  • Work the wine tasting area and provide any information for any of the wines.
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Associate manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll interface and process including researching payroll issues and enforcing adherence to audit and department guidelines; develop fit/gap analysis.
  • Schedule evictions for residents that have no means of paying delinquent rent.
  • Prepare food for daily plate lunches, take-out orders and in-orders and run kitchen.
  • Run monthly delinquency report on past due rents and sends notices for lockouts liens & evictions.
  • Supervise the management of the POS system and approves all cash wrap management, cash auditing, and tip reporting.
  • Created/Modify PowerPoint presentations for intern training and conferences.
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Assistant manager retail vs associate manager skills

Common assistant manager retail skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Retail Management, 12%
  • Retail Store, 10%
  • POS, 6%
  • Inventory Control, 5%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
Common associate manager skills
  • PET, 42%
  • POS, 6%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%
  • Human Resources, 4%