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Sales management trainee vs commissioned sales associate

The differences between sales management trainees and commissioned sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales management trainee has an average salary of $47,400, which is higher than the $36,949 average annual salary of a commissioned sales associate.

The top three skills for a sales management trainee include business development, business sales and enterprise management. The most important skills for a commissioned sales associate are excellent organizational, customer service, and customer relationships.

Sales management trainee vs commissioned sales associate overview

Sales Management TraineeCommissioned Sales Associate
Yearly salary$47,400$36,949
Hourly rate$22.79$17.76
Growth rate5%-
Number of jobs290,692377,430
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4341
Years of experience6-

What does a sales management trainee do?

Typically, sales management trainees are recruited at the entry-level, where they learn to manage sales. The trainees assist with tasks associated with sales management. They work under the supervision of executives and managers in business enterprises. They are equipped with the knowledge to become managers in the fields of sales, operations, and marketing. Among the necessary skills for this job include management skills, problem-solving, leadership, communication skills, attention to detail, time management, and organizational awareness.

What does a commissioned sales associate do?

Commissioned sales associates are professionals who conduct sale transactions that can generate additional compensation by increasing selling operations. These associates are must collaborate successfully with fellow associates in regard to sales and commission distribution. They must provide excellent customer service so that they can establish long term relationships with customers and ensure high satisfaction. Commissioned sales associates must also assist the department managers with visual merchandising to arrange racks so that they can place and stock new merchandise.

Sales management trainee vs commissioned sales associate salary

Sales management trainees and commissioned sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales Management TraineeCommissioned Sales Associate
Average salary$47,400$36,949
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $58,000Between $23,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityNewark, NJNewton, MA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyMassachusetts
Best paying companyCiscoJacobs Engineering Group
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between sales management trainee and commissioned sales associate education

There are a few differences between a sales management trainee and a commissioned sales associate in terms of educational background:

Sales Management TraineeCommissioned Sales Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Pennsylvania-

Sales management trainee vs commissioned sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between sales management trainees' and commissioned sales associates' demographics:

Sales Management TraineeCommissioned Sales Associate
Average age4341
Gender ratioMale, 71.3% Female, 28.7%Male, 51.6% Female, 48.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 7.2% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between sales management trainee and commissioned sales associate duties and responsibilities

Sales management trainee example responsibilities.

  • Monitor and manage payroll and controllable expenses within company guidelines.
  • Manage customer database, product updates/upgrades, accounts payable/receivable, and payroll.
  • Assist management team in daily facility operations that include managing performance of associates and inventory shrink management.
  • Inform on how to navigate through Salesforce.
  • Identify prospective clients and assist clients using CRM software.
  • Perform, multiple, complex CRM and customer maintenance activities.
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Commissioned sales associate example responsibilities.

  • Sell washers, dryers, dishwashers, micro-hoods, and stoves.
  • Service and repair domestic electrical and/or gas appliances such as clothes washers, refrigerators, stoves, and dryers.
  • Promote home depot credit cards.
  • Train to sell refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ranges and more.
  • Assist contractors in areas of plumbing, electrical, lighting, installation, and shipping.
  • Assist customers correctly identify home-repair products and direct them to appliances, plumbing, kitchen and bath items.
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Sales management trainee vs commissioned sales associate skills

Common sales management trainee skills
  • Business Development, 21%
  • Business Sales, 10%
  • Enterprise Management, 10%
  • Management Training, 8%
  • Store Management, 8%
  • World Class, 7%
Common commissioned sales associate skills
  • Excellent Organizational, 30%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Customer Relationships, 10%
  • Sales Floor, 7%
  • Commission Sales, 7%
  • Jewelry, 6%