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Sales associate vs in-stock associate

The differences between sales associates and in-stock associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales associate has an average salary of $32,167, which is higher than the $32,130 average annual salary of an in-stock associate.

The top three skills for a sales associate include customer service, sales floor and cash handling. The most important skills for an in-stock associate are food handling, stock room, and ladders.

Sales associate vs in-stock associate overview

Sales AssociateIn-Stock Associate
Yearly salary$32,167$32,130
Hourly rate$15.46$15.45
Growth rate-1%
Number of jobs579,849199,766
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 48%
Average age4138
Years of experience--

What does a sales associate do?

Sales associates are responsible for promoting the company's goods or services. They are expected to provide exceptional customer service to prospective buyers. They should be familiar with all features of the company's products or services so that they can answer the customers' inquiries. Sales associates also assist customers in processing their checkouts, refunds, returns, and other needs. They should be customer-oriented, and they should have great communication skills. They should know how to sell their products or services to customers. They are considered the company's representatives on the ground.

What does an in-stock associate do?

An In-Stock Associate is responsible for ensuring that the shelves of a retail store or warehouse are stocked with up to standard items and merchandise. They follow a supervising staff or manager's instructions while adhering to the company's policies and regulations, reporting problems should there be any. An In-Stock Associate's tasks will also revolve around loading and unloading shipments or deliveries, monitoring the quality and quantity of items, and operating devices such as scanners and forklifts, communicate and assist customers, and cleaning up stockrooms and shelves.

Sales associate vs in-stock associate salary

Sales associates and in-stock associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales AssociateIn-Stock Associate
Average salary$32,167$32,130
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $47,000Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyBarclaysGeneral Electric
Best paying industryManufacturingRetail

Differences between sales associate and in-stock associate education

There are a few differences between a sales associate and an in-stock associate in terms of educational background:

Sales AssociateIn-Stock Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 38%High School Diploma, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Sales associate vs in-stock associate demographics

Here are the differences between sales associates' and in-stock associates' demographics:

Sales AssociateIn-Stock Associate
Average age4138
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 69.7% Female, 30.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage7%6%

Differences between sales associate and in-stock associate duties and responsibilities

Sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
  • Gain experience with credit cards, mathematics, as well as customer service.
  • Utilize forklift, order picker reach truck, electric ladder, or roll ladders to transfer merchandise to the sales floor.
  • Create Facebook page for Ohco Import/Export division.
  • Increase sales by upselling products and follow up sales calls.
  • Assist customers with the purchase of the perfect piece of jewelry
  • Show more

In-stock associate example responsibilities.

  • Perform basic customer service skills, cleaning skills, and math skills.
  • Offer customer service & cashier duties while stocking wine cases deliver to the store.
  • Accommodate in customer service with sizing and recommending certain styles of clothing for kids and infants.
  • Stock overnight groceries and provide customer service
  • Restock groceries while providing excellent customer service for shoppers.
  • Support pet parents by responding on products and services.
  • Show more

Sales associate vs in-stock associate skills

Common sales associate skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Sales Floor, 13%
  • Cash Handling, 9%
  • Retail Sales, 9%
  • Loss Prevention, 7%
  • Basic Math, 5%
Common in-stock associate skills
  • Food Handling, 8%
  • Stock Room, 8%
  • Ladders, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • POS, 7%
  • Loss Prevention, 7%