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The differences between merchandise processors and customer service specialists 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 customer service specialist. Additionally, a customer service specialist has an average salary of $33,238, 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 customer service specialist are customer service, strong customer service, and cleanliness.
| Merchandise Processor | Customer Service Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,092 | $33,238 |
| Hourly rate | $14.95 | $15.98 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 13,551 | 223,323 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| 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.
Customer service specialists are employees who are responsible for providing the best customer experience to customers, usually for after-sales transactions. They attend to customers' inquiries and provide answers to their questions on products or services that the company offers. They also address customer complaints and help mitigate the concerns by offering solutions such as instructions on how to fix defects, or processing replacements or refunds. Customer service specialists also listen to customer feedback and ensure that these are logged properly so that proper departments will be able to receive them.
Merchandise processors and customer service specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Processor | Customer Service Specialist | |
| Average salary | $31,092 | $33,238 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $37,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lombard, IL | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Steve Madden | Dell |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a merchandise processor and a customer service specialist in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Processor | Customer Service Specialist | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between merchandise processors' and customer service specialists' demographics:
| Merchandise Processor | Customer Service Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.0% Female, 56.0% | Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0% |
| 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, 11.6% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |