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Customer service associate/cashier vs customer service desk

The differences between customer service associate/cashiers and customer service desks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a customer service associate/cashier and a customer service desk. Additionally, a customer service desk has an average salary of $34,599, which is higher than the $26,933 average annual salary of a customer service associate/cashier.

The top three skills for a customer service associate/cashier include front end, cash handling and customer service. The most important skills for a customer service desk are service desk, customer service, and strong customer service.

Customer service associate/cashier vs customer service desk overview

Customer Service Associate/CashierCustomer Service Desk
Yearly salary$26,933$34,599
Hourly rate$12.95$16.63
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs253,728233,256
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does a customer service associate/cashier do?

A customer service associate/cashier is responsible for processing payments for the customers' orders. The customer service associate/cashier inspects the items, ensuring that the pricing and quantity from scanning are accurate. They also check for possible item defects and offer replacements, process payment refunds as needed, issue receipts to keep proof of payment, respond to customer's inquiries about a product, market promotional offers, and operate cash registers. A customer service associate/cashier must have excellent customer service skills and communication skills to boost customer satisfaction and increase sales goals.

What does a customer service desk do?

The responsibilities of working in a customer service desk primarily revolves around ensuring customer satisfaction by responding to their inquiries and concerns. There are instances when it is required to provide directions, locate products, make reservations, and resolve various issues. There may also be administrative tasks such as handling and making calls, assisting customers in filling out forms, preparing paperwork and reports, arranging records, and coordinating with various staff members to ensure that a customer receives quality service.

Customer service associate/cashier vs customer service desk salary

Customer service associate/cashiers and customer service desks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Customer Service Associate/CashierCustomer Service Desk
Average salary$26,933$34,599
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $33,000Between $25,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-Atwater, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-SAIC
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between customer service associate/cashier and customer service desk education

There are a few differences between a customer service associate/cashier and a customer service desk in terms of educational background:

Customer Service Associate/CashierCustomer Service Desk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Customer service associate/cashier vs customer service desk demographics

Here are the differences between customer service associate/cashiers' and customer service desks' demographics:

Customer Service Associate/CashierCustomer Service Desk
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 24.4% Female, 75.6%Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 6.5% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 6.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between customer service associate/cashier and customer service desk duties and responsibilities

Customer service associate/cashier example responsibilities.

  • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
  • Ring up of sales, including cash, checks, credit cards, payment transactions on the POS system.
  • Operate cash register and POS, provide customers with excellent an experience of the store and information on products.
  • Greet customers, cash out customers, bag groceries, help customer with bags to car, and clean work area.
  • Check out each customer correctly whether it are groceries, or returns in order to get them in and out quickly.
  • Maintain accuracy and efficiency in all activities, including cash handling and processing and ensure cleanliness and sanitation throughout the facility.
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Customer service desk example responsibilities.

  • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
  • Operate a POS system to itemize and complete customer front-end register transactions.
  • Ask to follow closing procedures of facility and close out POS system.
  • Organize activities such as science and math club, sports, art, and cooking.
  • Create a RMA for faulty parts and dispatch technician to the site to replace the part or troubleshoot the issue.
  • Process customer transactions and troubleshoot register issues.
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Customer service associate/cashier vs customer service desk skills

Common customer service associate/cashier skills
  • Front End, 12%
  • Cash Handling, 12%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Math, 10%
  • Basic Math, 9%
  • Sales Transactions, 7%
Common customer service desk skills
  • Service Desk, 20%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Strong Customer Service, 15%
  • Front Desk, 7%
  • Windows, 4%
  • Sales Floor, 4%

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