Distribution center associate vs customer care associate

The differences between distribution center associates and customer care associates 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 customer care associate. Additionally, a distribution center associate has an average salary of $33,708, which is higher than the $33,115 average annual salary of a customer care associate.

The top three skills for a distribution center associate include pallets, excellent interpersonal and patients. The most important skills for a customer care associate are customer care, patients, and customer service.

Distribution center associate vs customer care associate overview

	Distribution Center Associate	Customer Care Associate
Yearly salary	$33,708	$33,115
Hourly rate	$16.21	$15.92
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	240,852	250,296
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	12	12

What does a distribution center associate do?

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.

What does a customer care associate do?

A customer care associate's role focuses on providing customer support and service, ensuring optimal services and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities typically revolve around assisting walk-in customers by answering inquiries, offering recommendations or alternatives, and informing them of any promos or discounts. It is essential to devise strategies to identify customer needs, providing them as needed. Furthermore, a customer care associate may answer inquiries made through calls or correspondence, make reservations, handle complaints or concerns, and resolve them according to the company's policies and regulations.

Distribution center associate vs customer care associate salary

Distribution center associates and customer care associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Distribution Center Associate	Customer Care Associate
Average salary	$33,708	$33,115
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $42,000	Between $24,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Minneapolis, MN	San Diego, CA
Highest paying state	Minnesota	California
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	Centennial Bank
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Insurance

Differences between distribution center associate and customer care associate education

There are a few differences between a distribution center associate and a customer care associate in terms of educational background:

	Distribution Center Associate	Customer Care Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Distribution center associate vs customer care associate demographics

Here are the differences between distribution center associates' and customer care associates' demographics:

	Distribution Center Associate	Customer Care Associate
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1%	Male, 30.1% Female, 69.9%
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, 12.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between distribution center associate and customer care associate duties and responsibilities

Distribution center associate example responsibilities.

Used RF scanner gun and WMS to accomplish require tasks.
Manage logistics of shipping, receiving, and distribution of finish goods, including process improvement and problem resolution.
Provide excellent customer service, order supplies, operate POS systems, reconcile registers, and prepare deposits.
Provide extensive customer support to the FedEx user departments.
Maintain quality logs to ensure FIFO standards are followed.
Explain and teach WMS menu and options to stock product properly.

Customer care associate example responsibilities.

Continue to manage a high volume of customer calls relate to HMO, PPO and POS concerns.
Verify HIPAA member information, update members account, expedite payments, explain health and dental plan benefits options.
Answer inbound calls assisting customers with billing questions, troubleshoot for customers, and assist customers with service plans and upgrading packages
Receive inbound provider calls at a call center regarding patients medical insurance benefits and eligibility, edit and process Medicare claims.
Provide superior customer service to inbound calls from DirecTV customers regarding their schedule service/install appointment.

Distribution center associate vs customer care associate skills

Common distribution center associate skills

Pallets, 11%
Excellent Interpersonal, 10%
Patients, 8%
Sales Floor, 6%
Customer Orders, 6%
Pallet Jack, 6%

Common customer care associate skills

Customer Care, 21%
Patients, 16%
Customer Service, 7%
Telephone Inquiries, 6%
Customer Support, 5%
Home Health, 3%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Distribution Center Associate
Distribution Center Associate vs Customer Care Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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