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Shop helper vs sales clerk

The differences between shop helpers and sales clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a shop helper has an average salary of $32,686, which is higher than the $25,739 average annual salary of a sales clerk.

The top three skills for a shop helper include customer service, tape measure and grinders. The most important skills for a sales clerk are customer service, stock shelves, and sales floor.

Shop helper vs sales clerk overview

Shop HelperSales Clerk
Yearly salary$32,686$25,739
Hourly rate$15.71$12.37
Growth rate4%-
Number of jobs23,652372,651
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age3941
Years of experience4-

What does a shop helper do?

A shop helper is in charge of providing technical assistance to staff. Their responsibilities include operating devices and machinery, assisting in kit arrangements, preparing and handing over tools to mechanics, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and performing basic repairs as needed. They may also perform clerical support tasks such as preparing and processing documentation, answering calls and correspondence, handling request procedures, and maintaining records of transactions. Furthermore, as a shop helper, it is essential to keep an active communication line with staff, coordinating for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a sales clerk do?

A sales clerk is responsible for assisting customers in purchasing products, responding to customer inquiries, and providing product recommendations. Sales clerks require excellent customer service and communication skills to offer the best services to the customers and maintain good customer feedback for the business. They also check inventories, request supplies as needed, and organize product displays on the appropriate shelves. A sales clerk must have strong verbal communication skills to manage customer concerns and excellent time-management skills to perform tasks within the fast-paced work environment.

Shop helper vs sales clerk salary

Shop helpers and sales clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Shop HelperSales Clerk
Average salary$32,686$25,739
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $16,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityCommerce City, COWashington, DC
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNew York
Best paying companyNBCUniversalHawaii Pacific Health
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between shop helper and sales clerk education

There are a few differences between a shop helper and a sales clerk in terms of educational background:

Shop HelperSales Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Shop helper vs sales clerk demographics

Here are the differences between shop helpers' and sales clerks' demographics:

Shop HelperSales Clerk
Average age3941
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 4.2% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%7%

Differences between shop helper and sales clerk duties and responsibilities

Shop helper example responsibilities.

  • Help around the warehouse with press brake, fabrication, MIG, CNC, stainless steel, sheet metal
  • Process and build aluminum frames for commercial glass buildings.
  • Assist with trimming, sorting and preparing brochures and documents
  • Rig up and rig down power tongs and power units.
  • Perform a little bit of tig welding, but not much.
  • Assemble new ATV's, lawn mowers, snowmobiles, and motorcycles.
  • Show more

Sales clerk example responsibilities.

  • Supervise women's department, manage jewelry department, assist customers on finalizing purchases
  • Process monetary transactions POS system.
  • Follow POS procedures daily and complete appropriate paperwork.
  • Prepare quality food products, process accurate register transactions, maintain general appearance and cleanliness of store premises.
  • Improve customer solicitation pitch to increase Kohl's credit card application solicitations.

Shop helper vs sales clerk skills

Common shop helper skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Tape Measure, 12%
  • Grinders, 9%
  • Customer Vehicles, 9%
  • BARS, 8%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common sales clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Stock Shelves, 9%
  • Sales Floor, 8%
  • Retail Sales, 6%
  • Product Knowledge, 5%
  • POS, 5%

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