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The differences between parts drivers and parts 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 parts driver and a parts associate. Additionally, a parts driver has an average salary of $33,224, which is higher than the $32,152 average annual salary of a parts associate.
The top three skills for a parts driver include customer service, cleanliness and parts inventory. The most important skills for a parts associate are parts inventory, customer satisfaction, and inventory control.
| Parts Driver | Parts Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $33,224 | $32,152 |
| Hourly rate | $15.97 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 146,082 | 23,603 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Parts delivery drivers work for a machine parts distributor or an auto parts outlet. Usually, delivery drivers deliver to repair shops and local dealerships for inventory replenishment. A lot of car repair shops maintain lower quantities of less common parts. Oftentimes, they complete their other duties in times of slow periods. Other than that, they unload inventory upon arrival from distribution centers and manufacturers. They also learn efficient delivery routes and become respectful to customers.
A parts associate works in a parts store and is responsible for selling, identifying, and procuring parts. Working with customers, parts associates evaluate customer problems and descriptions to identify the right parts needed for replacement. These associates also maintain an inventory log and trace parts for older machines as may be required. Parts associates advise and demonstrate to clients how respective parts function, how to properly install the components on machines, and how to use them correctly.
Parts drivers and parts associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Parts Driver | Parts Associate | |
| Average salary | $33,224 | $32,152 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Ken Garff Automotive Group | - |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | - |
There are a few differences between a parts driver and a parts associate in terms of educational background:
| Parts Driver | Parts Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 54% | High School Diploma, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between parts drivers' and parts associates' demographics:
| Parts Driver | Parts Associate | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% | Male, 77.7% Female, 22.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 1.6% White, 70.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 1.7% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |