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The differences between retail clerks and retail sales specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a retail sales specialist has an average salary of $45,756, 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 specialist are retail sales, POS, and store management.
| Retail Clerk | Retail Sales Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $30,046 | $45,756 |
| Hourly rate | $14.45 | $22.00 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 470,355 | 480,721 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A retail sales specialist is responsible for selling goods and services and providing the best customer service for the consumers. Retail sales specialists assist the customers on the floor, directing them to the area of their needs, and recommending them products according to their budget limitations. They also ensure the adequacy of stock levels, remove outdated products, and refill items as necessary. A retail sales specialist also supports in resolving complaints, such as replacing items and processing refunds as necessary.
Retail clerks and retail sales specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Retail Clerk | Retail Sales Specialist | |
| Average salary | $30,046 | $45,756 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $38,000 | Between $38,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Bellevue Jr/Sr High School | Anastasia Beverly Hills |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a retail clerk and a retail sales specialist in terms of educational background:
| Retail Clerk | Retail Sales Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between retail clerks' and retail sales specialists' demographics:
| Retail Clerk | Retail Sales Specialist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0% | Male, 56.7% Female, 43.3% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |