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The differences between sales associate/managers and parts sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a sales associate/manager, becoming a parts sales manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a parts sales manager has an average salary of $88,650, which is higher than the $41,412 average annual salary of a sales associate/manager.
The top three skills for a sales associate/manager include customer service, sales floor and strong customer service. The most important skills for a parts sales manager are customer service, parts sales, and inventory control procedures.
| Sales Associate/Manager | Parts Sales Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $41,412 | $88,650 |
| Hourly rate | $19.91 | $42.62 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 318,977 | 190,506 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
As the name entails, sales associates or associate managers are responsible for helping the store manager organize and run the retail stores. Their roles and responsibilities include ensuring that the store's goals are met by the sales team, hiring and training sales staff, and monitoring inventory. They are also expected to analyze consumer behavior, look for competitive products in the market, and communicate and evaluate clients' needs. To be qualified for this position, you should have experience as an assistant manager, organizational and leadership skills, and proficiency in MS Office.
Parts managers play a vital role in stores, such as service centers and dealerships, which require a regular stock of replacement parts. Their duties and responsibilities include ensuring productivity and the efficiency of the store's business operations, working to increase the store's revenue, and managing inventory based on cost targets and demand. Parts managers are responsible for improving sales by identifying new business opportunities and ensuring compliance with company policies and procedures. They are also expected to maintain customer satisfaction and develop promotional activities in collaboration with the sales team.
Sales associate/managers and parts sales managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sales Associate/Manager | Parts Sales Manager | |
| Average salary | $41,412 | $88,650 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $55,000 | Between $55,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salem, VA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | - | |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a sales associate/manager and a parts sales manager in terms of educational background:
| Sales Associate/Manager | Parts Sales Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | High School Diploma, 33% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | University of Southern California |
Here are the differences between sales associate/managers' and parts sales managers' demographics:
| Sales Associate/Manager | Parts Sales Manager | |
| Average age | 43 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.2% Female, 55.8% | Male, 79.7% Female, 20.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |