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The differences between merchandise processors and service advisors 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 service advisor. Additionally, a service advisor has an average salary of $46,308, 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 service advisor are customer service, product knowledge, and basic math.
| Merchandise Processor | Service Advisor | |
| Yearly salary | $31,092 | $46,308 |
| Hourly rate | $14.95 | $22.26 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 13,551 | 222,424 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| 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.
Service Advisors specialize in customer service in a car dealership or automotive shop. Acting as a front-desk representative, it is the Service Advisor's responsibility to greet clients and offer assistance, provide necessary and accurate information to customers regarding the automotive issues and needed repairs, respond to inquiries, and introduce the clients to the available mechanics. Moreover, Service Advisors must inform clients regarding the costs and warranties, keep the clients updated with the status of the repairs, coordinate with suppliers, and as well as manage the schedule of the mechanics.
Merchandise processors and service advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Processor | Service Advisor | |
| Average salary | $31,092 | $46,308 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $37,000 | Between $26,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lombard, IL | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Steve Madden | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Finance |
There are a few differences between a merchandise processor and a service advisor in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Processor | Service Advisor | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | Bachelor's Degree, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between merchandise processors' and service advisors' demographics:
| Merchandise Processor | Service Advisor | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.0% Female, 56.0% | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 6.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |