Parts runner vs parts-counter sales

The differences between parts runners and parts-counter sales 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 runner and a parts-counter sales. Additionally, a parts-counter sales has an average salary of $37,399, which is higher than the $31,562 average annual salary of a parts runner.

The top three skills for a parts runner include phone calls, customer service and inventory control. The most important skills for a parts-counter sales are taking care, customer service, and phone calls.

Parts runner vs parts-counter sales overview

	Parts Runner	Parts-Counter Sales
Yearly salary	$31,562	$37,399
Hourly rate	$15.17	$17.98
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	36,491	31,399
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 41%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	4	4

Parts runner vs parts-counter sales salary

Parts runners and parts-counter sales have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Parts Runner	Parts-Counter Sales
Average salary	$31,562	$37,399
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Grand Forks, ND	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Martin Marietta	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between parts runner and parts-counter sales education

There are a few differences between a parts runner and a parts-counter sales in terms of educational background:

	Parts Runner	Parts-Counter Sales
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 54%	High School Diploma, 41%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Parts runner vs parts-counter sales demographics

Here are the differences between parts runners' and parts-counter sales' demographics:

	Parts Runner	Parts-Counter Sales
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0%	Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 1.7% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 1.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between parts runner and parts-counter sales duties and responsibilities

Parts runner example responsibilities.

Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
Develop relationships with personnel from other Chrysler dealerships to participate in a mutually beneficial parts purchase and delivery co op.
Deliver items to customers, whether they are a dealership, bodyshop or regular customer.

Parts-counter sales example responsibilities.

Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
Used computer system for cataloging, sales invoices, inventory, pricing, and ordering special order parts.
Train counter personnel on BMW parts systems.
Receipt parts that are ordered from Nissan dealer only items.
Operate POS system in the recording of orders for juice bar and kitchen area.
Operate a cash register, computer and paper cataloging systems and processing daily paperwork and forms.

Parts runner vs parts-counter sales skills

Common parts runner skills

Phone Calls, 16%
Customer Service, 15%
Inventory Control, 9%
HVAC, 8%
DOT, 6%
Delivery Truck, 6%

Common parts-counter sales skills

Taking Care, 70%
Customer Service, 8%
Phone Calls, 3%
Invoice, 3%
Parts Counter Sales, 2%
Repair Orders, 2%

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Sales Industry
Parts Runner
Parts Runner vs Parts-Counter Sales

Updated January 8, 2025

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