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The differences between distribution associates and distribution technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a distribution technician has an average salary of $33,564, which is higher than the $33,453 average annual salary of a distribution associate.
The top three skills for a distribution associate include pallets, basic math and customer orders. The most important skills for a distribution technician are patients, computer system, and data entry.
| Distribution Associate | Distribution Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $33,453 | $33,564 |
| Hourly rate | $16.08 | $16.14 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 175,791 | 154,925 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 43 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A distribution associate typically works at warehouses or distribution establishments where they are in charge of processing orders for shipments or deliveries in a timely and efficient manner. Their responsibilities often include monitoring the inventory of goods, identifying and locating items, liaising with clients, receiving orders, lifting heavy packages, and maintaining accurate records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a distribution associate, it is essential to be proactive as warehouse conditions can be unpredictable due to the influx of goods.
A distribution technician has a variety of duties and responsibilities, including collecting and delivering materials, receiving documents, packages, and messages, and transporting them safely to their destination. Other tasks that you will likely perform include managing the inventory and completing data entry, preparing documentation and reports, and coordinating logistics for the shipment of products. Additional duties include providing quality service to customers and distributors, resolving inventory discrepancies, and collecting and updating customer information. You may also be tasked to conduct field and laboratory testing of construction materials.
Distribution associates and distribution technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Associate | Distribution Technician | |
| Average salary | $33,453 | $33,564 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $40,000 | Between $26,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Vallejo, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a distribution associate and a distribution technician in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Associate | Distribution Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between distribution associates' and distribution technicians' demographics:
| Distribution Associate | Distribution Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7% | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |