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Retail supervisor vs assistant manager

The differences between retail supervisors and assistant managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a retail supervisor and an assistant manager. Additionally, an assistant manager has an average salary of $39,127, which is higher than the $34,740 average annual salary of a retail supervisor.

The top three skills for a retail supervisor include POS, cash handling and product knowledge. The most important skills for an assistant manager are paperwork, cleanliness, and customer service.

Retail supervisor vs assistant manager overview

Retail SupervisorAssistant Manager
Yearly salary$34,740$39,127
Hourly rate$16.70$18.81
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs240,666566,132
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4344
Years of experience66

What does a retail supervisor do?

The retail supervisor's main job responsibility is to oversee the work of retail staff in a physical store environment. They check and monitor employee activity, coordinate the receiving and shipping of merchandise, and assist customers in their purchases, ensuring smooth day-to-day overall operation. They work for any type of retail store, whether it is clothing, home goods, or an electronics store. In addition, they typically work in a mixed environment that consists of both an office and a sales floor.

What does an assistant manager do?

An assistant manager provides assistance and support to the direct manager in ensuring that the business runs smoothly with guaranteed satisfaction. An associate manager helps organize daily projects and manages employees to make sure that tasks are being done in a timely and accurate manner. Assistant managers are also expected to develop a good relationship with the whole workforce and clients to contribute to a successful and healthy workplace. An assistant manager is also required to present practical strategies for business growth, monitor daily operations, and communicate with clients for any possible suggestions and complaints.

Retail supervisor vs assistant manager salary

Retail supervisors and assistant managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retail SupervisorAssistant Manager
Average salary$34,740$39,127
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $23,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityPeabody, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew Jersey
Best paying companyLive Nation EntertainmentSimpson Thacher & Bartlett
Best paying industryHospitalityFinance

Differences between retail supervisor and assistant manager education

There are a few differences between a retail supervisor and an assistant manager in terms of educational background:

Retail SupervisorAssistant Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiUniversity of Georgia

Retail supervisor vs assistant manager demographics

Here are the differences between retail supervisors' and assistant managers' demographics:

Retail SupervisorAssistant Manager
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 41.0% Female, 59.0%Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage9%10%

Differences between retail supervisor and assistant manager duties and responsibilities

Retail supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Assist store leadership in effectively leading, managing and developing store and/or department operations and associates to maximize sales and profitability.
  • Prepare food and ensure cleanliness of work area as well as served as a retail sales associate in the gift shop.
  • Prepare receipts for food using cash registers, computers, calculators, POS systems and other acceptable payment methods.
  • Maintain restaurant cleanliness, and delegate restaurant duties as necessary.
  • Monitor and submit weekly payroll and expense reports with modifications when need.
  • Perform management operations flawlessly and economically schedule employees, while maintaining weekly payroll.
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Assistant manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and approve all advertising and promotional activity (weekly flyers).
  • Manage a team in order to reach daily, monthly, and yearly monetary, KPI, and loyalty goals.
  • Assist with customer service, organize employee payroll and scheduling, and manage day-to-day company responsibilities.
  • Maintain customer base by providing excellent customer service, maintaining facilities cleanliness, preparing daily reports and managing other cashiers.
  • Provide exceptional customer service by serving food and bartending during the restaurant s busiest hours of operation
  • Assist customers and operate POS register, unload stock delivery truck, stock merchandise and build displays, make bank deposits.
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Retail supervisor vs assistant manager skills

Common retail supervisor skills
  • POS, 8%
  • Cash Handling, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Wine, 5%
Common assistant manager skills
  • Paperwork, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Basic Math, 6%
  • Payroll, 4%