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The differences between retail specialists and store associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a retail specialist has an average salary of $31,114, which is higher than the $29,543 average annual salary of a store associate.
The top three skills for a retail specialist include store management, retail environment and store associates. The most important skills for a store associate are sales floor, retail store, and inventory management.
| Retail Specialist | Store Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,114 | $29,543 |
| Hourly rate | $14.96 | $14.20 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 269,690 | 495,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A retail specialist is primarily in charge of securing sales and assisting customers on a sales floor, ensuring to meet the daily sales targets and client satisfaction. Their responsibilities include greeting clients and answering inquiries, locating products, offering recommendations and promotions, and processing payments. They may also address issues or concerns, resolving them promptly and professionally. Furthermore, as a retail specialist, it is essential to maintain the cleanliness of the sales floor and arrange displays properly to attract customers.
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 specialists and store associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Retail Specialist | Store Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,114 | $29,543 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $43,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salem, NH | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | New York |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a retail specialist and a store associate in terms of educational background:
| Retail Specialist | Store Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between retail specialists' and store associates' demographics:
| Retail Specialist | Store Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 6.8% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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% |