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Retail specialist vs team associate

The differences between retail specialists and team associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a team associate has an average salary of $31,822, which is higher than the $31,114 average annual salary of a retail specialist.

The top three skills for a retail specialist include store management, retail environment and store associates. The most important skills for a team associate are PET, reservations, and kids.

Retail specialist vs team associate overview

Retail SpecialistTeam Associate
Yearly salary$31,114$31,822
Hourly rate$14.96$15.30
Growth rate--
Number of jobs269,690362,158
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age4141
Years of experience--

What does a retail specialist do?

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.

What does a team associate do?

A team associate is responsible for organizing supply stock and performs cleaning duties to maintain a pleasant shopping experience for the customers. Team associates are usually employed in a shopping industry, providing the best customer service for the consumers by responding to their inquiries and concerns and directing them to their specific needs. They also convey promotional offers and featured products to the consumers, requiring them to have excellent communication and negotiation skills to help the business generate revenues and increase profitability.

Retail specialist vs team associate salary

Retail specialists and team associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retail SpecialistTeam Associate
Average salary$31,114$31,822
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $43,000Between $21,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySalem, NHWashington, DC
Highest paying stateNew HampshireNew York
Best paying companyMicrosoftBain & Company
Best paying industryTechnologyRetail

Differences between retail specialist and team associate education

There are a few differences between a retail specialist and a team associate in terms of educational background:

Retail SpecialistTeam Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Retail specialist vs team associate demographics

Here are the differences between retail specialists' and team associates' demographics:

Retail SpecialistTeam Associate
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 42.8% Female, 57.2%Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between retail specialist and team associate duties and responsibilities

Retail specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage a high volume of patient information from authorizing diagnostic procedures and scheduling patients.
  • Manage Nintendo's promotional programs; secure and maintain point-of-purchase displays that alert customers to brand availability.
  • Complete cash, credit, and debit POS transactions accurately and according to company policy.
  • Assist clients with applications to determine county benefits eligibility food, cash, childcare and medicaid benefits.
  • Operate POS system to input customers' orders, process credit card transactions, and enter cash amounts receive.
  • Perform insurance verification for new and self-pay patients to facilitate reimbursement for the services render.
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Team associate example responsibilities.

  • Lead team to sort and designate incoming merchandise/stock, audit, maintain and correct merchandise pricing via POS and terminal.
  • Lead the team by exemplify reliability through punctuality and personal integrity.
  • Enhance leadership and communication skills by interacting with diverse team of coworkers and providing customer service to consumers.
  • Assign responsibilities of maintaining inventory stocks and updating bike accessories parts.
  • Provide advice to complainants on reporting alternatives, conduct mediation, conduct intervention, provide advice and recommendations to leadership.
  • Develop multiple training classes across a broad range of subjects using Microsoft PowerPoint.
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Retail specialist vs team associate skills

Common retail specialist skills
  • Store Management, 60%
  • Retail Environment, 12%
  • Store Associates, 4%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%
  • Shelf Tags, 2%
Common team associate skills
  • PET, 25%
  • Reservations, 21%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • POS, 8%
  • Sales Floor, 7%