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Retail clerk vs retail sales consultant

The differences between retail clerks and retail sales consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a retail sales consultant has an average salary of $42,323, which is higher than the $30,046 average annual salary of a retail clerk.

The top three skills for a retail clerk include stock shelves, groceries and retail sales. The most important skills for a retail sales consultant are retail sales, customer satisfaction, and POS.

Retail clerk vs retail sales consultant overview

Retail ClerkRetail Sales Consultant
Yearly salary$30,046$42,323
Hourly rate$14.45$20.35
Growth rate--
Number of jobs470,355290,980
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a retail clerk do?

A retail clerk is responsible for selling goods and services to the customers, recommending products based on their needs, and responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns about the product. Retail clerks assist with the store's marketing strategies, organize product displays, monitor inventories, endorse promotional discounts, and help customers on their checkout payments. A retail clerk must have excellent communication and customer service skills to handle customers' requests and ensure their highest satisfaction.

What does a retail sales consultant do?

The primary job of retail sales consultants is to approach customers, identify their needs, and recommend services or products to fulfill those needs. They should be knowledgeable about the functionality and technical specifications of their products as they are the ones who demonstrate these products to customers. They are also responsible for providing customer service, filling out paperwork, and managing inventory. To be qualified for this position, you should have a high school diploma or a college degree, relevant work experience and training, and experience in sales or customer service.

Retail clerk vs retail sales consultant salary

Retail clerks and retail sales consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retail ClerkRetail Sales Consultant
Average salary$30,046$42,323
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $38,000Between $33,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandWashington
Best paying companyBellevue Jr/Sr High SchoolAnastasia Beverly Hills
Best paying industryManufacturingTelecommunication

Differences between retail clerk and retail sales consultant education

There are a few differences between a retail clerk and a retail sales consultant in terms of educational background:

Retail ClerkRetail Sales Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 35%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Retail clerk vs retail sales consultant demographics

Here are the differences between retail clerks' and retail sales consultants' demographics:

Retail ClerkRetail Sales Consultant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 41.0% Female, 59.0%Male, 59.9% Female, 40.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 6.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 54.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between retail clerk and retail sales consultant duties and responsibilities

Retail clerk example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish upselling goals to contribute to company's success.
  • Handle sales and returns through a POS software system and inventory database, and train new employees on the same tools.
  • Collect and process payments including accurate maintenance of sales register and jewelry inventory following close of daily business.
  • Provide excellent customer service while upselling promotional products

Retail sales consultant example responsibilities.

  • Achieve quarterly and yearly bonus goals by controlling business expenses and effectively managing payroll costs.
  • Excel selling requirements with geek squad protection, attachment rate, and sales quota.
  • Exploit selling techniques such as up-selling/ bundling to improve sale quotas.
  • Promote Samsung products as a subject matter expert to target specific sales goals.
  • Work as a sales associate for the wireless kiosk inside Sam's club.
  • Have a primary knowledge of smartphones, wearables/activity trackers, portable speakers, headphones, and networking/routers.
  • Show more

Retail clerk vs retail sales consultant skills

Common retail clerk skills
  • Stock Shelves, 31%
  • Groceries, 21%
  • Retail Sales, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • POS, 4%
Common retail sales consultant skills
  • Retail Sales, 26%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 11%
  • POS, 8%
  • Sales Objectives, 8%
  • Customer Relationships, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 6%