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The differences between parts specialists and parts counter clerks 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 specialist and a parts counter clerk. Additionally, a parts counter clerk has an average salary of $34,122, which is higher than the $33,611 average annual salary of a parts specialist.
The top three skills for a parts specialist include taking care, customer service and inventory control. The most important skills for a parts counter clerk are customer service, parts counter, and phone calls.
| Parts Specialist | Parts Counter Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $33,611 | $34,122 |
| Hourly rate | $16.16 | $16.40 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 46,301 | 95,411 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Parts specialists are responsible for the sale and maintenance of inventory at a dealership, an automotive care center, or other businesses providing automotive parts and supplies. Their duties and responsibilities include maintaining detailed inventory records, purchasing automotive parts, and ensuring that parts are delivered promptly. They are responsible for answering customer questions about various machine parts and equipment. Qualifications for this position vary, which include relevant work experience, experience in a supervisory or managerial job, and professional training through a vocational school.
A parts counter clerk is a customer service position responsible for advising customers about parts and selling parts to customers. The person holding this position is responsible for receiving and verifying new stock when delivered, managing inventory and sales records, billing and receiving payment, and making orders to replenish parts stock. Parts counter clerks are also responsible for the day to day management of a parts store, including doing returns, basic bookkeeping, and cleaning.
Parts specialists and parts counter clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Parts Specialist | Parts Counter Clerk | |
| Average salary | $33,611 | $34,122 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $42,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Addison, IL |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Steel Dynamics | Freightliner Trucks |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a parts specialist and a parts counter clerk in terms of educational background:
| Parts Specialist | Parts Counter Clerk | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 41% | High School Diploma, 45% |
| Most common major | Business | Automotive Technology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between parts specialists' and parts counter clerks' demographics:
| Parts Specialist | Parts Counter Clerk | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.9% Female, 23.1% | Male, 79.1% Female, 20.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.6% White, 69.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |