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The differences between distribution center associates and 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 $33,708 average annual salary of a distribution center associate.
The top three skills for a distribution center associate include pallets, excellent interpersonal and patients. The most important skills for an associate are customer service, sales floor, and patients.
| Distribution Center Associate | Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $33,708 | $69,556 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $33.44 |
| Growth rate | -4% | - |
| Number of jobs | 240,852 | 569,041 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A distribution center associate is responsible for supporting the operations of a distribution center, such as assisting the manufacturing process, labeling merchandise, packaging items, and storing products to the appropriate category shelves. Distribution center associates also help on loading and unloading items from the delivery trucks, checking inventory receipts, and inspecting the quality and the correct quantity of products for shipment. They update stock information on the database, as well as responding to clients' inquiries and delivery concerns, and resolving complaints immediately.
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.
Distribution center associates and associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Center Associate | Associate | |
| Average salary | $33,708 | $69,556 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $34,000 And $140,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | New York |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a distribution center associate and an associate in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Center Associate | Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between distribution center associates' and associates' demographics:
| Distribution Center Associate | Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% | Male, 50.4% Female, 49.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |