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The differences between retail clerks and store associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a retail clerk has an average salary of $30,046, which is higher than the $29,543 average annual salary of a store associate.
The top three skills for a retail clerk include stock shelves, groceries and retail sales. The most important skills for a store associate are sales floor, retail store, and inventory management.
| Retail Clerk | Store Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $30,046 | $29,543 |
| Hourly rate | $14.45 | $14.20 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 470,355 | 495,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| 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 store associate is responsible for assisting customers with the products they need and recommending alternative goods that would fit their budget. Sales associates also market promotional offers and provide product descriptions to the customer. They also monitor inventories, stock supplies on the appropriate shelves, and ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the store. Store associates also perform other administrative tasks as needed, such as creating sales reports, assisting in the counter, and helping customers on carrying their items.
Retail clerks and store associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Retail Clerk | Store Associate | |
| Average salary | $30,046 | $29,543 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $38,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | Bellevue Jr/Sr High School | Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Retail |
There are a few differences between a retail clerk and a store associate in terms of educational background:
| Retail Clerk | Store Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between retail clerks' and store associates' demographics:
| Retail Clerk | Store Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 41.0% Female, 59.0% | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% |
| 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, 11.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |