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The differences between general merchandisers and store associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general merchandiser has an average salary of $30,372, which is higher than the $29,543 average annual salary of a store associate.
The top three skills for a general merchandiser include sales floor, inventory management and back room. The most important skills for a store associate are sales floor, retail store, and inventory management.
| General Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $30,372 | $29,543 |
| Hourly rate | $14.60 | $14.20 |
| Growth rate | 1% | - |
| Number of jobs | 213,261 | 495,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A General Merchandiser creates displays and promotes the products and services in retail stores. Among their primary duties and responsibilities include shelf placement strategies and in-store displays for maximum product exposure to potential customers. They train staff to carry out their tasks in the merchandise store effectively. As the brain of almost every decision in retail chains, merchandisers ensure every customer the best experience they can get while shopping.
A store associate is responsible for assisting customers with the products they need and recommending alternative goods that would fit their budget. Sales associates also market promotional offers and provide product descriptions to the customer. They also monitor inventories, stock supplies on the appropriate shelves, and ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the store. Store associates also perform other administrative tasks as needed, such as creating sales reports, assisting in the counter, and helping customers on carrying their items.
General merchandisers and store associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Average salary | $30,372 | $29,543 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $45,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | New York |
| Best paying company | - | Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Best paying industry | - | Retail |
There are a few differences between a general merchandiser and a store associate in terms of educational background:
| General Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 39% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between general merchandisers' and store associates' demographics:
| General Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |