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The differences between merchandising assistants and assistant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a merchandising assistant and an assistant manager. Additionally, an assistant manager has an average salary of $39,127, which is higher than the $34,679 average annual salary of a merchandising assistant.
The top three skills for a merchandising assistant include sales floor, customer service and customer issues. The most important skills for an assistant manager are paperwork, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Merchandising Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $34,679 | $39,127 |
| Hourly rate | $16.67 | $18.81 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 22,645 | 566,132 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A merchandising assistant is responsible for contributing new goods and services for the business, identifying business opportunities based on the market demands to drive revenues and increase profitability. Merchandising assistants also monitor stock inventories, negotiating with suppliers and other third-party vendors for deliveries, and strategizing on how to minimize costs without compromising the quality. They also help with arranging product displays, developing marketing campaigns, and planning promotional offers to attract customers for purchase. A merchandising assistant must have excellent communication skills, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, and directing them to the appropriate section for their needs.
An assistant manager provides assistance and support to the direct manager in ensuring that the business runs smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction. An associate manager helps organize daily projects and manages employees to make sure that tasks are being done in a timely and accurate manner. Assistant managers are also expected to develop a good relationship with the whole workforce and clients to contribute to a successful and healthy workplace. An assistant manager is also required to present practical strategies for business growth, monitor daily operations, and communicate with clients for any possible suggestions and complaints.
Merchandising assistants and assistant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandising Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Average salary | $34,679 | $39,127 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $46,000 | Between $23,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Softpath System | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a merchandising assistant and an assistant manager in terms of educational background:
| Merchandising Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between merchandising assistants' and assistant managers' demographics:
| Merchandising Assistant | Assistant Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.2% Female, 76.8% | Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 10% |