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Sales associate and customer service vs customer service clerk

The differences between sales associate and customer services and customer service clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a sales associate and customer service and a customer service clerk. Additionally, a customer service clerk has an average salary of $33,566, which is higher than the $28,654 average annual salary of a sales associate and customer service.

The top three skills for a sales associate and customer service include customer service, plumbing and sales associates. The most important skills for a customer service clerk are customer service, basic math, and front end.

Sales associate and customer service vs customer service clerk overview

Sales Associate And Customer ServiceCustomer Service Clerk
Yearly salary$28,654$33,566
Hourly rate$13.78$16.14
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs298,588361,383
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age4040
Years of experience1212

What does a sales associate and customer service do?

Sales and customer service associates are employees who are responsible for closing out sales deals and attending to customer needs. They are in charge of selling company goods and services to potential clients, often citing the common needs of prospective clients to ensure sales. They also handle customer inquiries and complaints and try their best to mitigate any problems that would arise. They are expected to be experts on company products to ensure that they can provide the best service to customers. Sales and customer service associates should have strong interpersonal skills, customer service skills, and communication skills.

What does a customer service clerk do?

A customer service clerk is responsible for resolving client issues, giving requested information, and providing clients high-quality customer service. Customer service clerks' tasks include sharing information, responding to and recording requests, collecting payments, and resolving billing disputes. Also, they ensure that products or services are delivered promptly to customers. Applicants to the job must be able to listen and communicate well. They must have excellent customer service skills and be able to multitask. Skills in conflict resolution and problem-solving will also give them an edge.

Sales associate and customer service vs customer service clerk salary

Sales associate and customer services and customer service clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales Associate And Customer ServiceCustomer Service Clerk
Average salary$28,654$33,566
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $38,000Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CityBellevue, WAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateConnecticutAlaska
Best paying companyGEICOUnited States Courts
Best paying industryManufacturingRetail

Differences between sales associate and customer service and customer service clerk education

There are a few differences between a sales associate and customer service and a customer service clerk in terms of educational background:

Sales Associate And Customer ServiceCustomer Service Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 34%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Sales associate and customer service vs customer service clerk demographics

Here are the differences between sales associate and customer services' and customer service clerks' demographics:

Sales Associate And Customer ServiceCustomer Service Clerk
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 39.8% Female, 60.2%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 22.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between sales associate and customer service and customer service clerk duties and responsibilities

Sales associate and customer service example responsibilities.

  • Manage call center productivity levels by maintaining CSR schedule adherence.
  • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
  • Investigate, analyze, and troubleshoot any issues with a particular delivery.
  • Elicit and record customer information and inquiries via customer relationship management (CRM) software.
  • Move to the CSR position selling and leasing name brand products at a guarantee low price.
  • Provide technical support, and troubleshoot online-base ordering system.
  • Show more

Customer service clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
  • Show excellence in providing customer service satisfaction by packing then delivering groceries to customers' vehicles.
  • Hone in on and strengthen problem solving, quick thinking, and math skills.
  • Support RSA authentication service for remote customer using VPN access, with RSA token.
  • Help clients identify and resolve issues pertaining, but not limit to, VPN configuration, web hosting and domain registration.
  • Operate cash register, processing transactions with cash, credit card, debit, check, food stamp and WIC coupons.
  • Show more

Sales associate and customer service vs customer service clerk skills

Common sales associate and customer service skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Plumbing, 20%
  • Sales Associates, 19%
  • Phone Calls, 11%
  • Booking, 9%
  • Math, 8%
Common customer service clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Basic Math, 12%
  • Front End, 11%
  • Math, 10%
  • Cash Handling, 9%
  • Customer Inquiries, 8%

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