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Sales leader vs sales lead/sales associate

The differences between sales leaders and sales lead/sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a sales leader and a sales lead/sales associate. Additionally, a sales leader has an average salary of $68,699, which is higher than the $31,954 average annual salary of a sales lead/sales associate.

The top three skills for a sales leader include product knowledge, customer service and sales floor. The most important skills for a sales lead/sales associate are POS, cash control, and customer service.

Sales leader vs sales lead/sales associate overview

Sales LeaderSales Lead/Sales Associate
Yearly salary$68,699$31,954
Hourly rate$33.03$15.36
Growth rate5%-
Number of jobs458,558882,220
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age4343
Years of experience66

What does a sales leader do?

A Sales Leader's responsibility is more than just leading. Most of the tasks involve monitoring the progress of sales, creating strategies to attain financial gains, managing the workforce, and as well as suggesting and enforcing particular options that would be beneficial for the sales and the company. All while making sure that all actions adhere to the policies and standards of the company. Above all, a Sale's Leader must have the passion and determination to drive a team towards the company's goal.

What does a sales lead/sales associate do?

Sales lead and sales associates are two different sales positions in the retail industry. A sales lead is in charge of supervising the sales department. Sales leads perform administrative duties like recruiting and training staff, monitoring inventories, and maintaining sales performance. On the other hand, sales associates guide potential customers to acquire the products or services that fit their needs. The associates notify clients of sales promotions then present to them the product or service. Employees for these positions are looking for candidates with relevant experience in sales and related degrees like marketing and sales.

Sales leader vs sales lead/sales associate salary

Sales leaders and sales lead/sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales LeaderSales Lead/Sales Associate
Average salary$68,699$31,954
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $139,000Between $17,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyZSGoogle
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between sales leader and sales lead/sales associate education

There are a few differences between a sales leader and a sales lead/sales associate in terms of educational background:

Sales LeaderSales Lead/Sales Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at DelhiSUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Sales leader vs sales lead/sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between sales leaders' and sales lead/sales associates' demographics:

Sales LeaderSales Lead/Sales Associate
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 40.7% Female, 59.3%Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between sales leader and sales lead/sales associate duties and responsibilities

Sales leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage to sales KPI's (including sales and expense budget numbers), assuring efficient and effective use of resources.
  • Manage all lead activity for a specific vertical sales territory, identifying opportunities and engaging appropriate field sales representatives.
  • Provide excellent customer service, operate cash register, offer product and pet knowledge.
  • Charge with training new associates for visual updates, stock processing, client experience, product knowledge, and POS.
  • Assist with payroll and timekeeping duties.
  • Interact with kids while the parents are shopping.
  • Show more

Sales lead/sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Partner in managing operations of multiple retail outlets, including hiring, performance management, scheduling, and merchandising management.
  • Complete customer transactions using POS register system and fraud security protocol.
  • Monitor inventory accountability by physically checking inventory, running inventory reports, receiving shipments, and completing transfers in the POS.
  • Demonstrate strong leadership, communication and supervisory skills by providing coaching and feedback to maximize individual and store performance.

Sales leader vs sales lead/sales associate skills

Common sales leader skills
  • Product Knowledge, 10%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Sales Floor, 9%
  • Store Management, 6%
  • Loss Prevention, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Common sales lead/sales associate skills
  • POS, 16%
  • Cash Control, 13%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Bank Deposits, 8%
  • Inventory Control, 8%
  • Sales Transactions, 7%