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Shop helper vs shop assistant

The differences between shop helpers and shop assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a shop helper and a shop assistant. Additionally, a shop helper has an average salary of $32,686, which is higher than the $31,216 average annual salary of a shop assistant.

The top three skills for a shop helper include customer service, tape measure and grinders. The most important skills for a shop assistant are customer vehicles, CNC, and customer service.

Shop helper vs shop assistant overview

Shop HelperShop Assistant
Yearly salary$32,686$31,216
Hourly rate$15.71$15.01
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs23,65211,156
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age3939
Years of experience44

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 shop assistant do?

A shop assistant is primarily responsible for handling customers and maintaining the upkeep of a sales floor in a retail store. They are in charge of greeting customers, answering inquiries, offering assistance, recommending products, and handling complaints. A shop assistant also has duties that involve receiving, verifying, processing, and sorting shipments from suppliers, managing inventory, and re-stocking shelves while keeping them presentable. To maintain the sales floor's cleanliness, a shop assistant may also perform light chores and keep all equipment organized. Furthermore, it is essential to accomplish tasks while adhering to the policies and regulations of the company.

Shop helper vs shop assistant salary

Shop helpers and shop assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Shop HelperShop Assistant
Average salary$32,686$31,216
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityCommerce City, COSpokane, WA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyNBCUniversalSteel Dynamics
Best paying industryEnergyConstruction

Differences between shop helper and shop assistant education

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

Shop HelperShop Assistant
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 51%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Shop helper vs shop assistant demographics

Here are the differences between shop helpers' and shop assistants' demographics:

Shop HelperShop Assistant
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1%
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, 9.8% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between shop helper and shop assistant 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

Shop assistant example responsibilities.

  • Provide GHIN handicap services for the members
  • General shop maintenance Mig welding repairs and projects
  • Prepare envelopes and run address/post-mark mail machine.
  • Maintain GHIN handicap system for the golf course.
  • Shop support in embroidery, screen printing, and DTG printing.
  • Help other staff with printing, collating, binding and distribution of materials.
  • Show more

Shop helper vs shop assistant skills

Common shop helper skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Tape Measure, 12%
  • Grinders, 9%
  • Customer Vehicles, 9%
  • BARS, 8%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
Common shop assistant skills
  • Customer Vehicles, 10%
  • CNC, 7%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 6%
  • Machine Shop, 6%
  • Shop Equipment, 6%

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