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The differences between key holders and store associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a key holder has an average salary of $31,779, which is higher than the $29,543 average annual salary of a store associate.
The top three skills for a key holder include sales floor, product knowledge and visual standards. The most important skills for a store associate are sales floor, retail store, and inventory management.
| Key Holder | Store Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,779 | $29,543 |
| Hourly rate | $15.28 | $14.20 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 431,956 | 495,423 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
A keyholder is responsible for ensuring the store's daily security before and after the operation. Keyholders' duties include assisting with administrative tasks, handling customers' inquiries, managing and escalating customers' complaints, monitoring the alarm system, keeping track of the deliveries, supporting staff training, cooperating in company's events, and recommending operational strategies to meet business goals and objectives. A keyholder must have excellent customer service and time-management skills, as well as the ability to multi-task, especially during high customer volume.
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.
Key holders and store associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Key Holder | Store Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,779 | $29,543 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $39,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Wisconsin | New York |
| Best paying company | Connecticut Children's Medical Center | Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Retail |
There are a few differences between a key holder and a store associate in terms of educational background:
| Key Holder | Store Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | - |
Here are the differences between key holders' and store associates' demographics:
| Key Holder | Store Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.1% Female, 71.9% | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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 | 9% | 7% |