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The differences between product merchandisers and in-stock associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an in-stock associate has an average salary of $32,130, which is higher than the $31,071 average annual salary of a product merchandiser.
The top three skills for a product merchandiser include PET, brand awareness and product line. The most important skills for an in-stock associate are food handling, stock room, and ladders.
| Product Merchandiser | In-Stock Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,071 | $32,130 |
| Hourly rate | $14.94 | $15.45 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 122,502 | 199,766 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Product merchandiser positions require individuals with skills in product knowledge, quality and customer focus, organization, client relationships, promotions, and attention to detail. The job involves taking responsibility for the appearance of products in different stores in order to promote specific products and increase sales.
An In-Stock Associate is responsible for ensuring that the shelves of a retail store or warehouse are stocked with up to standard items and merchandise. They follow a supervising staff or manager's instructions while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, reporting problems should there be any. An In-Stock Associate's tasks will also revolve around loading and unloading shipments or deliveries, monitoring the quality and quantity of items, and operating devices such as scanners and forklifts, communicate and assist customers, and cleaning up stockrooms and shelves.
Product merchandisers and in-stock associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Product Merchandiser | In-Stock Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,071 | $32,130 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $39,000 | Between $26,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Eugene, OR | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Amazon | General Electric |
| Best paying industry | Education | Retail |
There are a few differences between a product merchandiser and an in-stock associate in terms of educational background:
| Product Merchandiser | In-Stock Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | High School Diploma, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between product merchandisers' and in-stock associates' demographics:
| Product Merchandiser | In-Stock Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.9% Female, 42.1% | Male, 69.7% Female, 30.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |