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The differences between merchandisers, sales and sales support associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a merchandiser, sales and a sales support associate. Additionally, a sales support associate has an average salary of $34,454, which is higher than the $31,662 average annual salary of a merchandiser, sales.
The top three skills for a merchandiser, sales include excellent planning, wine and pallet jack. The most important skills for a sales support associate are sales floor, back room, and math.
| Merchandiser, Sales | Sales Support Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,662 | $34,454 |
| Hourly rate | $15.22 | $16.56 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 248,317 | 447,642 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Merchandiser sales representatives are responsible for maintaining the flow of products and managing shelves in retail stores or similar establishments. They are also responsible for devising strategies and promotional plans to increase brand awareness and boost product sales. Aside from this, they must remain updated with the latest marketing trends, monitor sales, and set the budget while maintaining inventory. Moreover, it is vital to reach out to customers and build rapport, all while implementing the policies and regulations of the company.
A sales support associate is an individual who is responsible for assisting sales staff and help customers. To provide this assistance, sales support associates use customer communication methods such as telephones or email to process customer orders and ensure that they are accurate. They work closely with distributors to make sure that products are available for their customers. Sales support associates may function as either part-time or full time, but companies may require excellent communication skills.
Merchandisers, sales and sales support associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandiser, Sales | Sales Support Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,662 | $34,454 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $41,000 | Between $25,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Community Coffee | Goldman Sachs |
| Best paying industry | Education | Finance |
There are a few differences between a merchandiser, sales and a sales support associate in terms of educational background:
| Merchandiser, Sales | Sales Support Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 42% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | SUNY College of Technology at Alfred |
Here are the differences between merchandisers, sales' and sales support associates' demographics:
| Merchandiser, Sales | Sales Support Associate | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% | Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |