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The differences between general merchandise clerks and in-stock associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general merchandise clerk has an average salary of $34,415, which is higher than the $32,130 average annual salary of an in-stock associate.
The top three skills for a general merchandise clerk include product knowledge, product displays and customer service. The most important skills for an in-stock associate are food handling, stock room, and ladders.
| General Merchandise Clerk | In-Stock Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $34,415 | $32,130 |
| Hourly rate | $16.55 | $15.45 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 137,799 | 199,766 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
This individual works in the GM section of a store. They interact with customers and assist them as they purchase merchandise. In this role, they are expected to place all special orders and to take stock of all products annually. Other responsibilities of this position include developing merchandise plans and ensuring they are compliant with quality standards. They may also have to evaluate merchandise and ensure credit payments are accurate.
An In-Stock Associate is responsible for ensuring that the shelves of a retail store or warehouse are stocked with up to standard items and merchandise. They follow a supervising staff or manager's instructions while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, reporting problems should there be any. An In-Stock Associate's tasks will also revolve around loading and unloading shipments or deliveries, monitoring the quality and quantity of items, and operating devices such as scanners and forklifts, communicate and assist customers, and cleaning up stockrooms and shelves.
General merchandise clerks and in-stock associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Merchandise Clerk | In-Stock Associate | |
| Average salary | $34,415 | $32,130 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $42,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between a general merchandise clerk and an in-stock associate in terms of educational background:
| General Merchandise Clerk | In-Stock Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between general merchandise clerks' and in-stock associates' demographics:
| General Merchandise Clerk | In-Stock Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8% | Male, 69.7% Female, 30.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |