Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between merchandisers and sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales associate has an average salary of $32,167, which is higher than the $31,051 average annual salary of a merchandiser.
The top three skills for a merchandiser include customer service, PET and pallets. The most important skills for a sales associate are customer service, sales floor, and cash handling.
| Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,051 | $32,167 |
| Hourly rate | $14.93 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | 1% | - |
| Number of jobs | 109,447 | 579,849 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Merchandisers are employees working for a retail company. Merchandisers are mainly responsible for the store's products. They curate products that are in line with the store's branding. Merchandisers create purchase requisitions and, upon receipt of the products, create displays that would attract the customers. They also ensure that the inventory of the store is well-stocked. Merchandisers should be up to date with current market trends. They should also be familiar with what customers need and want. It is important for merchandisers to know their company's branding by heart. Merchandisers should be able to create good relationships with vendors as well so that their store may be chosen for special promotions.
Sales associates are responsible for promoting the company's goods or services. They are expected to provide exceptional customer service to prospective buyers. They should be familiar with all features of the company's products or services so that they can answer the customers' inquiries. Sales associates also assist customers in processing their checkouts, refunds, returns, and other needs. They should be customer-oriented, and they should have great communication skills. They should know how to sell their products or services to customers. They are considered the company's representatives on the ground.
Merchandisers and sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,051 | $32,167 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $39,000 | Between $21,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Richmond, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Barclays |
| Best paying industry | Education | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a merchandiser and a sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 33% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between merchandisers' and sales associates' demographics:
| Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.0% Female, 42.0% | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 6.4% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |