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Sales support representative vs sales associate and customer service

The differences between sales support representatives and sales associate and customer services can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a sales support representative, becoming a sales associate and customer service takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a sales support representative has an average salary of $38,310, which is higher than the $28,654 average annual salary of a sales associate and customer service.

The top three skills for a sales support representative include sales support, phone calls and POS. The most important skills for a sales associate and customer service are customer service, plumbing, and sales associates.

Sales support representative vs sales associate and customer service overview

Sales Support RepresentativeSales Associate And Customer Service
Yearly salary$38,310$28,654
Hourly rate$18.42$13.78
Growth rate4%-4%
Number of jobs319,292298,588
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4740
Years of experience412

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 a sales associate and customer service do?

Sales and customer service associates are employees who are responsible for closing out sales deals and attending to customer needs. They are in charge of selling company goods and services to potential clients, often citing the common needs of prospective clients to ensure sales. They also handle customer inquiries and complaints and try their best to mitigate any problems that would arise. They are expected to be experts on company products to ensure that they can provide the best service to customers. Sales and customer service associates should have strong interpersonal skills, customer service skills, and communication skills.

Sales support representative vs sales associate and customer service salary

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

Sales Support RepresentativeSales Associate And Customer Service
Average salary$38,310$28,654
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $48,000Between $21,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WABellevue, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonConnecticut
Best paying companyNetAppGEICO
Best paying industryFinanceManufacturing

Differences between sales support representative and sales associate and customer service education

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

Sales Support RepresentativeSales Associate And Customer Service
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at Alfred-

Sales support representative vs sales associate and customer service demographics

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

Sales Support RepresentativeSales Associate And Customer Service
Average age4740
Gender ratioMale, 39.9% Female, 60.1%Male, 39.8% Female, 60.2%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 54.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%7%

Differences between sales support representative and sales associate and customer service 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.
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Sales associate and customer service example responsibilities.

  • Manage call center productivity levels by maintaining CSR schedule adherence.
  • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
  • Investigate, analyze, and troubleshoot any issues with a particular delivery.
  • Elicit and record customer information and inquiries via customer relationship management (CRM) software.
  • Move to the CSR position selling and leasing name brand products at a guarantee low price.
  • Provide technical support, and troubleshoot online-base ordering system.
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Sales support representative vs sales associate and customer service skills

Common sales support representative skills
  • Sales Support, 16%
  • Phone Calls, 10%
  • POS, 8%
  • Product Knowledge, 7%
  • Customer Complaints, 6%
  • Customer Inquiries, 6%
Common sales associate and customer service skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Plumbing, 20%
  • Sales Associates, 19%
  • Phone Calls, 11%
  • Booking, 9%
  • Math, 8%