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The differences between associates and general sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an associate has an average salary of $69,556, which is higher than the $29,328 average annual salary of a general sales associate.
The top three skills for an associate include customer service, sales floor and patients. The most important skills for a general sales associate are POS, work ethic, and food preparation.
| Associate | General Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $69,556 | $29,328 |
| Hourly rate | $33.44 | $14.10 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 569,041 | 383,009 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Associates are typically entry-level positions for employees who are taking on their first job or organizational role. They are assigned to teams or departments that are related to their skills or educational background. They usually start with smaller tasks that may not seem as impactful but are still essential to the department. Associates are trained by more tenured team members on the ins and outs of the department and the organization. As they grow with the organization, they are given more responsibilities that directly impact the results of the department's initiatives as they work towards their goals.
The job of a general sales associate is to provide great customer service and increase the revenue of a business. They sell products and services and help customers find the right product. Depending on the retail store, their responsibilities may involve organizing store shelves, answering customers' questions, ringing up purchases, operating the cash register, and greeting customers. They may also be expected to take full charge of the managing of all financial transactions and balancing drawers.
Associates and general sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate | General Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $69,556 | $29,328 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $140,000 | Between $21,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett | Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an associate and a general sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Associate | General Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between associates' and general sales associates' demographics:
| Associate | General Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6% | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |