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The differences between merchandise coordinators and assistant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a merchandise coordinator and an assistant manager. Additionally, an assistant manager has an average salary of $39,127, which is higher than the $36,658 average annual salary of a merchandise coordinator.
The top three skills for a merchandise coordinator include cleanliness, sales floor and merchandise presentation. The most important skills for an assistant manager are paperwork, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Merchandise Coordinator | Assistant Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $36,658 | $39,127 |
| Hourly rate | $17.62 | $18.81 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 23,637 | 566,132 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A merchandise coordinator is responsible for monitoring the adequacy of supply inventory, creating purchase requests, and confirming the proper labeling of products. Merchandise coordinators assist with the creative arrangement of product displays, moving merchandise to the appropriate store section, informing the customers of the promotional products and discount offers, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, evaluating feature products' sales reports, and resolving customer complaints. A merchandise coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, following store procedures and safety regulations at all times during the operational shift.
An assistant manager provides assistance and support to the direct manager in ensuring that the business runs smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction. An associate manager helps organize daily projects and manages employees to make sure that tasks are being done in a timely and accurate manner. Assistant managers are also expected to develop a good relationship with the whole workforce and clients to contribute to a successful and healthy workplace. An assistant manager is also required to present practical strategies for business growth, monitor daily operations, and communicate with clients for any possible suggestions and complaints.
Merchandise coordinators and assistant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Coordinator | Assistant Manager | |
| Average salary | $36,658 | $39,127 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $45,000 | Between $23,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | New Era Cap | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Media | Finance |
There are a few differences between a merchandise coordinator and an assistant manager in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Coordinator | Assistant Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between merchandise coordinators' and assistant managers' demographics:
| Merchandise Coordinator | Assistant Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.6% Female, 72.4% | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 10% |