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The differences between merchandise processors and call center representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a merchandise processor and a call center representative. Additionally, a call center representative has an average salary of $31,549, which is higher than the $31,092 average annual salary of a merchandise processor.
The top three skills for a merchandise processor include customer service, sales floor and basic math. The most important skills for a call center representative are strong customer service, customer service, and patients.
| Merchandise Processor | Call Center Representative | |
| Yearly salary | $31,092 | $31,549 |
| Hourly rate | $14.95 | $15.17 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 13,551 | 133,579 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A Merchandise Processor works at warehouse facilities where they are in charge of preparing and processing merchandise. Their tasks typically revolve around monitoring inventory, organizing and labeling products, packing and tagging items, strategically arranging materials to maximize warehouse spaces, storing supplies according to protocols, and maintaining incoming and outgoing merchandise. There are also instances when they must inspect the product's quality and quantity, sort and price items, and produce reports. A Merchandise Processor typically works in a team setting, which requires an active communication line for an efficient and smooth workflow.
Call center representatives are employees who take customer calls in the company's contact center. They answer incoming calls related to their account. Call center representatives are trained on the company's products, policies, and guidelines. They are expected to know the ins and outs of every company product under their account before they are assigned to the operations floor. Once they are deemed efficient enough to handle calls, they begin to take customer inquiries and try to resolve them during the call. Call center representatives are expected to follow company policies and procedures and to meet the goals set by the company.
Merchandise processors and call center representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Processor | Call Center Representative | |
| Average salary | $31,092 | $31,549 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $37,000 | Between $25,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lombard, IL | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Steve Madden | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a merchandise processor and a call center representative in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Processor | Call Center Representative | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between merchandise processors' and call center representatives' demographics:
| Merchandise Processor | Call Center Representative | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.0% Female, 56.0% | Male, 27.4% Female, 72.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 55.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |