Post job

What is a junior sales associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Joseph Hancock

Are you someone who is good at greeting customers and responding to inquiries? If so, then being a junior sales associate is the right career for you!

The junior sales associate is an inexperienced salesperson who is typically educated or supervised by more skilled employees. They serve on cash registers, price products, and perform general tasks in the shop. The key skill to being a good junior sales associate is having superior product knowledge and the drive to help increase store sales. On a daily basis, they work with customers to find what they want, and they are vital in ensuring a smooth sales process. It is definitely service with a smile.

In the United States, the annual average salary for junior sales associates is around $38,834. This is depending on the location, size of the business, and the number of years of experience in the field. There are really no requirements to becoming a junior sales associate. With the right attitude and genuine friendliness, you could also become one.

What's a day at work look like for a junior sales associate?

Joseph HancockJoseph Hancock LinkedIn profile

Research Professor, Program Director, Former Retail Operations Manager, Drexel University, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

New graduates will need to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. No one is going to hold your hand and tell you "get to work" or you will soon be looking for a new job. The new world may be one where you don't go to an office, but instead work right from home, scheduling appointments and doing your own calendar. My last years working for Target in a regional field position taught me that no one was going to motivate me each day, I had to motivate myself. Also, it can be lonely working from home as a new graduate, so find outside interests and ways to make friends. I am from the old fashion ideologies that getting a hobby is extremely important, and that hobby is not going to the gym or watching television. It includes something that enriches your life to be a better person in society.
ScoreJunior Sales AssociateUS Average
Salary
6.2

Avg. Salary $79,871

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
6.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.57%

Asian 8.35%

Black or African American 10.54%

Hispanic or Latino 19.13%

Unknown 5.31%

White 56.10%

Gender

female 67.64%

male 32.36%

Age - 39
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39
Stress level
6.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.5

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
8.5

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Junior sales associate career paths

Key steps to become a junior sales associate

  1. Explore junior sales associate education requirements

    Most common junior sales associate degrees

    Bachelor's

    53.6 %

    High School Diploma

    23.6 %

    Associate

    15.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior sales associate skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Inventory Control31.92%
    Customer Service24.88%
    POS7.31%
    Sales Transactions5.00%
    Product Knowledge4.86%
  3. Complete relevant junior sales associate training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior sales associates learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior sales associate based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior sales associate resumes.
  4. Research junior sales associate duties and responsibilities

    • Manage numerous, highly confidential details for retirement plan deals from start to finish including meticulous preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
    • Update daily records of sales orders and maintain familiarity with dealership fleets including staying update regarding competitor products and offerings.
    • Perform minor repairs on Kohl's jewelry like changing watch batteries and removing watch links.
  5. Prepare your junior sales associate resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior sales associate resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a junior sales associate resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable junior sales associate resume templates

    Build a professional junior sales associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior sales associate resume.
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
    Junior Sales Associate Resume
  6. Apply for junior sales associate jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a junior sales associate job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first junior sales associate job

Zippi

Are you a junior sales associate?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average junior sales associate salary

The average junior sales associate salary in the United States is $79,871 per year or $38 per hour. Junior sales associate salaries range between $61,000 and $103,000 per year.

Average junior sales associate salary
$79,871 Yearly
$38.40 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do junior sales associates rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Junior sales associate reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2021
Pros

I like mostly that I work with team oriented people. Some people that care and will help and that help others whether it's work related or not. That have good employee morale amongst each other not necessarily management but amongst each other.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Marketing products from a traceable companies to consumers and providing a good service to the clients .


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

Meeting people & making them satisfied with value for their money.

Cons

I think I like everything about sales


Working as a junior sales associate? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.