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The differences between retail merchandisers and store associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store associate has an average salary of $29,543, which is higher than the $28,678 average annual salary of a retail merchandiser.
The top three skills for a retail merchandiser include customer service, store management and POS. The most important skills for a store associate are sales floor, retail store, and inventory management.
| Retail Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $28,678 | $29,543 |
| Hourly rate | $13.79 | $14.20 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 477,794 | 495,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A retail merchandiser is responsible for determining the accuracy of sales and analyzing market trends to ensure that the business can follow stock movements and adjust plan budgets as needed. Retail merchandisers' duties also include planning strategies that would provide satisfaction for the customers while meeting the company's objectives, and coordinating with the suppliers and distributors for timely deliveries and price negotiations. Retail merchandisers also assist customers, analyze sales performance, and monitor inventories regularly.
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 merchandisers and store associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Retail Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Average salary | $28,678 | $29,543 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $36,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New York |
| Best paying company | Wayfair | Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Retail |
There are a few differences between a retail merchandiser and a store associate in terms of educational background:
| Retail Merchandiser | 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 merchandisers' and store associates' demographics:
| Retail Merchandiser | Store Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9% | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 7.5% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |