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The differences between key carriers and merchandising associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a merchandising associate has an average salary of $33,201, which is higher than the $32,262 average annual salary of a key carrier.
The top three skills for a key carrier include store sales, store operations and customer issues. The most important skills for a merchandising associate are cleanliness, sales floor, and customer service.
| Key Carrier | Merchandising Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $32,262 | $33,201 |
| Hourly rate | $15.51 | $15.96 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 82,534 | 370,401 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 49 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A key carrier is primarily in charge of opening and closing business establishments. Because they are typically the first team member to come into the workplace, it is often their duty to set-up alarm systems, clean the sales floor and other areas, arrange shelves or tables, and prepare for the incoming customers. Should there be any problems, it is essential to report to the manager right away. Furthermore, a key carrier must maintain an active communication line with all co-workers while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Merchandise associates ensure that customers get a complete shopping experience. They pleasantly arrange and stock merchandise on shelves for customers to purchase. Also, they assemble product displays and make sure popular and on-sale products are visible to customers. Part of their duty is to place the appropriate sales tag on items and record new developments in the store's inventory. Skills required for the job include excellent customer service, being detail-oriented, and relevant experience in sales.
Key carriers and merchandising associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Key Carrier | Merchandising Associate | |
| Average salary | $32,262 | $33,201 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $39,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Uline |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a key carrier and a merchandising associate in terms of educational background:
| Key Carrier | Merchandising Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 34% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between key carriers' and merchandising associates' demographics:
| Key Carrier | Merchandising Associate | |
| Average age | 49 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8% | Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |