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Sales assistant vs business sales associate

The differences between sales assistants and business sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a business sales associate has an average salary of $59,485, which is higher than the $35,258 average annual salary of a sales assistant.

The top three skills for a sales assistant include customer service, powerpoint and account executives. The most important skills for a business sales associate are business sales, product knowledge, and customer satisfaction.

Sales assistant vs business sales associate overview

Sales AssistantBusiness Sales Associate
Yearly salary$35,258$59,485
Hourly rate$16.95$28.60
Growth rate-4%
Number of jobs347,034359,630
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4147
Years of experience-4

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.

What does a business sales associate do?

A business sales associate's primary goal is to secure sales and reach sales targets. To make this possible, a business sales associate conducts market research and analyses to identify new business and client opportunities, generates leads, and develops sales strategies. They usually reach out to potential clients or representatives through calls or correspondence, arrange appointments, discuss product or service specifications, organize payment plans, and negotiate contracts, building positive business relationships along the way. Moreover, they produce progress reports and coordinate with managers regularly.

Sales assistant vs business sales associate salary

Sales assistants and business sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales AssistantBusiness Sales Associate
Average salary$35,258$59,485
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $42,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WA-
Highest paying stateNew York-
Best paying companyIBM-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between sales assistant and business sales associate education

There are a few differences between a sales assistant and a business sales associate in terms of educational background:

Sales AssistantBusiness Sales Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Sales assistant vs business sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between sales assistants' and business sales associates' demographics:

Sales AssistantBusiness Sales Associate
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between sales assistant and business sales associate duties and responsibilities

Sales assistant example 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.
  • Show more

Business sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage individual sales activities by developing highly effective, communications focuse relationship with multiple sales channels.
  • Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
  • Top performer among peers in revenue and margin attainments, upselling extend warranties and converting credit card sales to leases.
  • Assist MRO organizations in composite shop design and organization.

Sales assistant vs business sales associate skills

Common sales assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 36%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Account Executives, 4%
  • Sales Support, 4%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
  • Sales Reports, 3%
Common business sales associate skills
  • Business Sales, 14%
  • Product Knowledge, 14%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 10%
  • CRM, 10%
  • Sales Process, 6%
  • Customer Support, 5%