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How to hire a sales assistant

Sales assistant hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring sales assistants in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a sales assistant is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new sales assistant to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a sales assistant, step by step

To hire a sales assistant, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a sales assistant, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step sales assistant hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a sales assistant job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sales assistant
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a sales assistant do?

Sales assistants are usually entry-level or junior employees who are assigned to help out in the sales department. They are responsible for any administrative or clerical activities needed in the department. They may also work on the operations floor to assist with the selling of company products or services. They help complete company sales by approaching potential buyers and answering any questions about items. They should be familiar with what the company offers to identify the products that would best fit the needs of the customer.

Learn more about the specifics of what a sales assistant does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a sales assistant, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect sales assistant also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of sales assistants.

    Type of Sales AssistantDescriptionHourly rate
    Sales AssistantRetail sales workers include both those who sell retail merchandise, such as clothing, furniture, and automobiles, (called retail salespersons) and those who sell spare and replacement parts and equipment, especially car parts (called parts salespersons). Both types of workers help customers find the products they want and process customers’ payments.$12-22
    Sales ClerkA sales clerk is responsible for assisting customers in purchasing products, responding to customer inquiries, and providing product recommendations. Sales clerks require excellent customer service and communication skills to offer the best services to the customers and maintain good customer feedback for the business... Show more$7-18
    Sales AgentA sales representative is responsible for offering goods and services to potential and existing clients. Sales representatives must display a strong knowledge of the company's products to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns... Show more$10-45
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • PowerPoint
    • Account Executives
    • Sales Support
    • Sales Floor
    • Sales Reports
    • POS
    • Product Knowledge
    • Order Entry
    • Sales Process
    • Telephone Calls
    • Sales Orders
    • Event Planning
    • Facebook
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage numerous, highly confidential details for retirement plan deals from start to finish including meticulous preparation of PowerPoint presentations.
    • Work with 3 AE's billing out 5 million a year.
    • Maintain broadcast files to FCC regulations.
    • Work with NSM with national accounts payables.
    • Negotiate air time for national commercials airing on ABC & CBS.
    • Handle local and national political advertisers with orders and make sure station comply with FCC regulations.
    More sales assistant duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your sales assistant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A sales assistant can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, sales assistants' average salary in mississippi is 46% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level sales assistants 45% less than senior-level sales assistants.
    • Certifications. A sales assistant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a sales assistant's salary.

    Average sales assistant salary

    $35,258yearly

    $16.95 hourly rate

    Entry-level sales assistant salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 23, 2025

    Average sales assistant salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$45,410$22
    2New York$45,336$22
    3California$43,141$21
    4Oregon$40,668$20
    5Illinois$39,143$19
    6Colorado$38,267$18
    7Nebraska$36,485$18
    8Indiana$35,894$17
    9Pennsylvania$35,712$17
    10Wisconsin$35,241$17
    11Nevada$34,547$17
    12Maryland$34,470$17
    13Missouri$34,459$17
    14Arizona$34,273$16
    15Maine$34,028$16
    16Ohio$33,719$16
    17Kansas$33,312$16
    18Utah$33,097$16
    19Virginia$33,000$16
    20Tennessee$32,340$16

    Average sales assistant salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1IBM$65,893$31.6856
    2JPMorgan Chase & Co.$54,138$26.0390
    3Citi$53,589$25.766
    4AIG$53,094$25.53
    5Pandora$52,510$25.252
    6Beasley Media Group$50,872$24.462
    7Summit Career College, Colton$49,992$24.03
    8Aya Healthcare$49,769$23.93
    9Urban One$49,523$23.81
    10Townsquare Media$49,150$23.6314
    11Cumulus Media$49,066$23.596
    12Clear Channel Airport$48,971$23.544
    13Entravision Communications$47,553$22.86
    14Systemax$46,487$22.35
    15Schnitzer Steel$46,346$22.28
    16Johnson & Johnson$46,121$22.17192
    17AllianceBernstein$45,923$22.082
    18Deutsche Bank$44,946$21.616
    19Hillsdale College$44,139$21.22
    20Piper Jaffray$44,009$21.16
  4. Writing a sales assistant job description

    A good sales assistant job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a sales assistant job description:

    Sales assistant job description example

    Revision Date: 10/3/2022

    The main job purpose as a Sales Assistant with B&M Amarillo Homes will be to create a world class home buying experience by assisting customers to identify what meets their goals and needs during the leasing & homebuying experience.

    Ideal Team Member Profile

    • B&M Ambassador – protect the B&M Homes branding and assets by maintaining a high level of integrity throughout the sales process

    • Constant Learner – develop expertise in areas such as finance mortgage concepts, product, sales acumen, sales presentation skills and your local market

    • Customer Follow-up – maintain customer files and provide timely follow-up with prospective buyers via the company’s CRM system

    • Merchandising – assist manager by helping select inventory, decorate models and maintain appearance of the homes

    • Personal Prospecting – develop, refine and execute a strategic sales and marketing plan to increase home center traffic

    • Product Demonstration – show prospects display homes, demonstrate features and benefits to create added value

    • Set Appointments – set home center visits utilizing prospect database and by converting ad calls and web leads

    • Training – participates in all sales meetings, training opportunities and other company sponsored functions

    I. Performance Objectives:

    a. The primary responsibility of the New Home Sales Representative is to facilitate the sale of new and existing homes.

    II. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

    a. Maintain a high degree of integrity and honesty in all business dealings.

    b. Be professional in dress, manners, and conduct.

    c. Be a self-motivated individual and display initiative

    III. Major Duties and Responsibilities

    a. Customer Prospecting

    i. Work Open Houses as scheduled

    ii. Follow-up call to prospective customers same week they visit Open House

    iii. Follow-up on potential clients weekly via phone and e-mail

    b. Walk Existing and New Construction completed homes weekly and make sure homes are clean and ready for presentation to the customer. This includes making sure yards and flowerbeds are weeded, mowed and watered.

    c. Communicate with Team Members before open house, with written or verbal instructions on items that need to be addressed.

    d. Prepare complete and accurate Seller Proposal Worksheets and Contracts

    e. Attend all weekly meetings and conference calls

    f. Assist in all marketing duties and assignments including but not limited to:

    i. Checking on the B&M Amarillo Homes website weekly to ensure everything is updated and accurate

    ii. Ensuring For Sale Signs and For Lease sign are in good condition and located at all vacant houses

    iii. Posting sales content on social media and other platforms

    iv. Maintaining New Client Welcome Packets and ensuring they get distributed to client

    g. Any and all other jobs or duties assigned by New Director of Operations or Owner/ Operator

    h. Answer all incoming potential client calls daily

    i. Update CRM daily for potential and current clients

    j. Keep track of all potential clients and all deals through CRM

    k. Follow up with clients on a regular basis to follow up, update and ensure clients are meeting their goals

    l. Update clients weekly on progress of home

    m. Follow up with superintendents and Residential Property Manager to ensure what phase homes are in to coordinate closings with the customers

    n. Walk with clients on job sites when requested

    o. Follow up with Client Quality Control Manager to ensure warranty requests have been completed

    p. Develop and maintain sub-contractor and vendor relationships

    q. Attend all training required

    r. Any and all other duties and assignments assigned

    IV. Dress Code:

    As our professionalism and sales continue to grow, staff members need to exhibit the look that confirms our professionalism for our customers, our partners, and our coworkers. Please see dress code guidelines in employment handbook.

    V. Employee Hours: Full-Time

    Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. The sales representative will always be on call to answer any and all incoming IPS & B&M potential sales and client calls.

    VI. Compensation:

    a. As a Sales Professional with B&M Amarillo Homes, you will receive a base salary plus a lucrative commission plan.

    b. Unlimited career and earning potential

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right sales assistant for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    To find sales assistant candidates, you can consider the following options:
    • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
    • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as salesjobs, salesheads, allretailjobs.com, sales trax.
    • Post your job on free job posting websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit sales assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new sales assistant

    Once you have selected a candidate for the sales assistant position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new sales assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a sales assistant?

Recruiting sales assistants involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $35,258 per year for a sales assistant, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for sales assistants in the US typically range between $12 and $22 an hour.

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