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Sales assistant vs store sales associate

The differences between sales assistants and store sales 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 $30,284 average annual salary of a store sales associate.

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

Sales assistant vs store sales associate overview

Sales AssistantStore Sales Associate
Yearly salary$35,258$30,284
Hourly rate$16.95$14.56
Growth rate--
Number of jobs347,034524,877
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4143
Years of experience-6

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 store sales associate do?

A store sales associate is responsible for assisting store customers, directing them to the correct area of their needs, and responding to their inquiries and concerns regarding a product. Store sales associates also support the store's promotional campaigns, selling goods and services to the customers by demonstrating the product and its benefits. They keep the store premises clean and tidy to avoid any potential hazards during operations. A store sales associate must have excellent communication skills, especially on resolving customer complaints, processing replacements, and issuing refunds.

Sales assistant vs store sales associate salary

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

Sales AssistantStore Sales Associate
Average salary$35,258$30,284
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $47,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAElizabeth, NJ
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyIBMRooms To Go
Best paying industryFinanceHospitality

Differences between sales assistant and store sales associate education

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

Sales AssistantStore Sales Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Sales assistant vs store sales associate demographics

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

Sales AssistantStore Sales Associate
Average age4143
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between sales assistant and store 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

Store sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage to sales KPI's (including sales and expense budget numbers), assuring efficient and effective use of resources.
  • Earn management trust by serving as keyholder, responsibly opening and closing the store.
  • Audit all jewelry counts daily, banking deposit log, cashier logs, sales logs.
  • Utilize the company's POS system to cash customers out or administer returns to the store.
  • Work as a sales associate and keyholder throughout the summer and a bit of the school year.
  • Help customers choose jewelry, pierce ears, open and close out register, set up displays.
  • Show more

Sales assistant vs store 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 store sales associate skills
  • Sales Floor, 20%
  • POS, 10%
  • Product Knowledge, 10%
  • Store Sales, 8%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Stock Room, 5%