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The differences between associate store managers and zone 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 associate store manager and a zone manager. Additionally, a zone manager has an average salary of $50,974, which is higher than the $29,803 average annual salary of an associate store manager.
The top three skills for an associate store manager include sales floor, product knowledge and customer service. The most important skills for a zone manager are work ethic, loss prevention, and inventory control.
| Associate Store Manager | Zone Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $29,803 | $50,974 |
| Hourly rate | $14.33 | $24.51 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 343,409 | 298,152 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
An associate store manager is typically in charge of performing administrative support tasks to maintain the smooth flow of operations in a retail store. They usually prepare and process documents, answer calls and correspondence, organize files, liaise with internal and external partners, and train new members of the workforce. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, processing purchases, and addressing issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently in adherence to the store's policies and regulations.
The duties of a zone manager depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In general, they are in charge of overseeing the service and product distribution operations of a company. They typically coordinate with regional managers, establish guidelines and product roadmaps, gather and analyze data from their area of assignment, perform research and analysis, conduct sales assessments, and implement solutions to optimize operations. Moreover, a zone manager must lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Associate store managers and zone managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Store Manager | Zone Manager | |
| Average salary | $29,803 | $50,974 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $35,000 | Between $34,000 And $75,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | - | Ford Motor |
| Best paying industry | - | Automotive |
There are a few differences between an associate store manager and a zone manager in terms of educational background:
| Associate Store Manager | Zone Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between associate store managers' and zone managers' demographics:
| Associate Store Manager | Zone Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.4% Female, 58.6% | Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |