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Sales assistant vs sales support associate

The differences between sales assistants and sales support associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales assistant has an average salary of $35,258, which is higher than the $34,454 average annual salary of a sales support associate.

The top three skills for a sales assistant include customer service, powerpoint and account executives. The most important skills for a sales support associate are sales floor, back room, and math.

Sales assistant vs sales support associate overview

Sales AssistantSales Support Associate
Yearly salary$35,258$34,454
Hourly rate$16.95$16.56
Growth rate-4%
Number of jobs347,034447,642
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
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 sales support associate do?

A sales support associate is an individual who is responsible for assisting sales staff and help customers. To provide this assistance, sales support associates use customer communication methods such as telephones or email to process customer orders and ensure that they are accurate. They work closely with distributors to make sure that products are available for their customers. Sales support associates may function as either part-time or full time, but companies may require excellent communication skills.

Sales assistant vs sales support associate salary

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

Sales AssistantSales Support Associate
Average salary$35,258$34,454
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $25,000 And $46,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyIBMGoldman Sachs
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between sales assistant and sales support associate education

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

Sales AssistantSales Support Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-SUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Sales assistant vs sales support associate demographics

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

Sales AssistantSales Support Associate
Average age4147
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 43.5% Female, 56.5%
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, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between sales assistant and sales support 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

Sales support associate example responsibilities.

  • Contribute to marketing business online and manage Facebook page.
  • Cross trained on POS function and inventory management
  • Assist patients with Critical/Triage calls; document necessary symptoms for medical assistants to determine what medical intervention is necessary.
  • Work with A/R on short payments and credit/debit discrepancies.
  • Identify and prioritize account opportunities and upselling value add services.
  • Process new service for external customers and initiate upselling opportunities for additional products and services.

Sales assistant vs sales support associate skills

Common sales assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 36%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Account Executives, 4%
  • Sales Support, 4%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
  • Sales Reports, 3%
Common sales support associate skills
  • Sales Floor, 21%
  • Back Room, 13%
  • Math, 13%
  • Sales Support, 12%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Sales Service, 6%