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Sales support representative vs associate sales representative

The differences between sales support representatives and associate sales representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a sales support representative and an associate sales representative. Additionally, an associate sales representative has an average salary of $51,007, which is higher than the $38,310 average annual salary of a sales support representative.

The top three skills for a sales support representative include sales support, phone calls and POS. The most important skills for an associate sales representative are work ethic, patients, and product knowledge.

Sales support representative vs associate sales representative overview

Sales Support RepresentativeAssociate Sales Representative
Yearly salary$38,310$51,007
Hourly rate$18.42$24.52
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs319,292333,049
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a sales support representative do?

A sales support representative is responsible for assisting the complex operations of sales departments, performing administrative duties under the supervision of a direct manager. Sales support representatives' tasks include acknowledging and encoding customers' orders in the system, processing payments, responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns about the products, writing sales reports, and updating the customer of the shipment details. They also support the sales representatives on selling goods and services to potential customers by creating marketing materials and communicating with customers over the phone and e-mail to generate revenues and increase profits.

What does an associate sales representative do?

The duties of an associate sales representative depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around reaching out to clients through calls or door-to-door visits, offering products and services, collecting payments, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures when necessary. An associate sales representative often has a quota and deadline to reach; therefore, it is essential to be sales driven and goal-oriented. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations of the company.

Sales support representative vs associate sales representative salary

Sales support representatives and associate sales representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sales Support RepresentativeAssociate Sales Representative
Average salary$38,310$51,007
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $48,000Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyNetAppVerint
Best paying industryFinanceHealth Care

Differences between sales support representative and associate sales representative education

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

Sales Support RepresentativeAssociate Sales Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredSUNY College of Technology at Alfred

Sales support representative vs associate sales representative demographics

Here are the differences between sales support representatives' and associate sales representatives' demographics:

Sales Support RepresentativeAssociate Sales Representative
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 39.9% Female, 60.1%Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 5.1% White, 73.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between sales support representative and associate sales representative duties and responsibilities

Sales support representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage internal CRM and inventory software to track and input sales orders, account history, and stock allocation.
  • Facilitate the transition from AS400 to JDE operating system.
  • Utilize all programs, systems, and procedures of windows operating systems.
  • Help customers troubleshoot technical issues with their computers, process customer transactions and handle escalate issues.
  • Assist in setting up and checking EDI data from customers, brokers, carriers, and truckers.
  • Work collaboratively with sales representatives and regional vice presidents to produce cost proposals, problem solve and troubleshoot issues.
  • Show more

Associate sales representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
  • Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
  • Learned how to ask proper questions and communicate MetLife's product differentiators against competition

Sales support representative vs associate sales representative skills

Common sales support representative skills
  • Sales Support, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 10%
  • POS, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 6%
  • Customer Inquiries, 6%
Common associate sales representative skills
  • Work Ethic, 16%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Product Knowledge, 12%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • Excellent Organizational, 4%
  • Sales Techniques, 4%