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The differences between distribution center associates and center specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a distribution center associate and a center specialist. Additionally, a distribution center associate has an average salary of $33,708, which is higher than the $33,648 average annual salary of a center specialist.
The top three skills for a distribution center associate include pallets, excellent interpersonal and patients. The most important skills for a center specialist are patients, customer service, and necessary paperwork.
| Distribution Center Associate | Center Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $33,708 | $33,648 |
| Hourly rate | $16.21 | $16.18 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 240,852 | 226,751 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 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.
A call center specialist is an individual who interacts with customers over the phone to ensure smooth transactions and answer customer queries. Call center specialists provide customer service through the phone and handle complaints under the company's guidance and with professionalism and courtesy. They must verify the information for incoming orders and enter them into the database with accuracy. Call center specialists should maintain the call center database and must regularly update the contact log. They must also report malfunctioning equipment and software to their supervisors.
Distribution center associates and center specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Center Associate | Center Specialist | |
| Average salary | $33,708 | $33,648 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $24,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minneapolis, MN | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Minnesota | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a distribution center associate and a center specialist in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Center Associate | Center Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between distribution center associates' and center specialists' demographics:
| Distribution Center Associate | Center Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% | Male, 46.4% Female, 53.6% |
| 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, 11.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |