Post job

Key carrier vs sales associate

The differences between key carriers and sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a key carrier has an average salary of $32,262, which is higher than the $32,167 average annual salary of a sales associate.

The top three skills for a key carrier include store sales, store operations and customer issues. The most important skills for a sales associate are customer service, sales floor, and cash handling.

Key carrier vs sales associate overview

Key CarrierSales Associate
Yearly salary$32,262$32,167
Hourly rate$15.51$15.46
Growth rate-6%-
Number of jobs82,534579,849
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4941
Years of experience--

What does a key carrier do?

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.

What does a sales associate do?

Sales associates are responsible for promoting the company's goods or services. They are expected to provide exceptional customer service to prospective buyers. They should be familiar with all features of the company's products or services so that they can answer the customers' inquiries. Sales associates also assist customers in processing their checkouts, refunds, returns, and other needs. They should be customer-oriented, and they should have great communication skills. They should know how to sell their products or services to customers. They are considered the company's representatives on the ground.

Key carrier vs sales associate salary

Key carriers and sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Key CarrierSales Associate
Average salary$32,262$32,167
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Barclays
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between key carrier and sales associate education

There are a few differences between a key carrier and a sales associate in terms of educational background:

Key CarrierSales Associate
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Key carrier vs sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between key carriers' and sales associates' demographics:

Key CarrierSales Associate
Average age4941
Gender ratioMale, 36.2% Female, 63.8%Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between key carrier and sales associate duties and responsibilities

Key carrier example responsibilities.

  • Achieve and exceed store and company sales and KPI goals.
  • Used KRONOS proficiently on a daily basis to monitor staff clock in/out and to compile payroll bi-weekly.
  • Handle payments at the POS, stock the storefront as needed, and answer customer questions and inquiries.
  • Train and develop new associates on POS system, proper formatting of the store, and key sales tactics.
  • Analyze and study various reports in order to make merchandising, selling, staffing, and payroll planning decisions.
  • Maintain cleanliness and organizational standards.
  • Show more

Sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
  • Gain experience with credit cards, mathematics, as well as customer service.
  • Utilize forklift, order picker reach truck, electric ladder, or roll ladders to transfer merchandise to the sales floor.
  • Create Facebook page for Ohco Import/Export division.
  • Increase sales by upselling products and follow up sales calls.
  • Assist customers with the purchase of the perfect piece of jewelry
  • Show more

Key carrier vs sales associate skills

Common key carrier skills
  • Store Sales, 21%
  • Store Operations, 18%
  • Customer Issues, 12%
  • Cleanliness, 5%
  • Basic Math, 4%
  • Math, 4%
Common sales associate skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Sales Floor, 13%
  • Cash Handling, 9%
  • Retail Sales, 9%
  • Loss Prevention, 7%
  • Basic Math, 5%

Browse office and administrative jobs