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The differences between merchandise stockers and general merchandise clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general merchandise clerk has an average salary of $34,415, which is higher than the $29,224 average annual salary of a merchandise stocker.
The top three skills for a merchandise stocker include pallet jack, customer service and stock shelves. The most important skills for a general merchandise clerk are product knowledge, product displays, and customer service.
| Merchandise Stocker | General Merchandise Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $29,224 | $34,415 |
| Hourly rate | $14.05 | $16.55 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 204,511 | 137,799 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A merchandise stocker is an employee who ensures that shelves and aisles are stocked with the merchandise in retail stores or warehouses. Merchandise stockers must receive the goods, unload or unpack them, mark them with codes to be identified, and stock them on shelves. They help customers to fill orders through mail, web, or phone while preparing the customers' merchandise for shipment. They must also operate a forklift so that they can lift or place merchandise at the assigned shelves.
This individual works in the GM section of a store. They interact with customers and assist them as they purchase merchandise. In this role, they are expected to place all special orders and to take stock of all products annually. Other responsibilities of this position include developing merchandise plans and ensuring they are compliant with quality standards. They may also have to evaluate merchandise and ensure credit payments are accurate.
Merchandise stockers and general merchandise clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Stocker | General Merchandise Clerk | |
| Average salary | $29,224 | $34,415 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $35,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tacoma, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | PepsiCo | - |
| Best paying industry | Retail | - |
There are a few differences between a merchandise stocker and a general merchandise clerk in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Stocker | General Merchandise Clerk | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between merchandise stockers' and general merchandise clerks' demographics:
| Merchandise Stocker | General Merchandise Clerk | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2% | Male, 50.2% Female, 49.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.8% Asian, 6.8% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 5.9% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |