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The differences between store assistants and store associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store assistant has an average salary of $32,372, which is higher than the $29,543 average annual salary of a store associate.
The top three skills for a store assistant include payroll, retail sales and customer service. The most important skills for a store associate are sales floor, retail store, and inventory management.
| Store Assistant | Store Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $32,372 | $29,543 |
| Hourly rate | $15.56 | $14.20 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 511,874 | 495,423 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
As the name entails, a store assistant helps the store supervisor or manager. You will typically perform various tasks that include processing inventory and replenishing items when they get low, assisting stock clerks in receiving and processing shipments, and performing tasks related to store opening and closing. Additionally, you are expected to provide customer service, including handling customer complaints and facilitating transactions utilizing point of sale software. A store assistant also checks for any product breakage or damage.
A store associate is responsible for assisting customers with the products they need and recommending alternative goods that would fit their budget. Sales associates also market promotional offers and provide product descriptions to the customer. They also monitor inventories, stock supplies on the appropriate shelves, and ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the store. Store associates also perform other administrative tasks as needed, such as creating sales reports, assisting in the counter, and helping customers on carrying their items.
Store assistants and store associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Assistant | Store Associate | |
| Average salary | $32,372 | $29,543 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $41,000 | Between $24,000 And $36,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jacksonville, NC | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | New York |
| Best paying company | Busch's Fresh Food Market | Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Retail |
There are a few differences between a store assistant and a store associate in terms of educational background:
| Store Assistant | Store Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY College of Technology at Delhi | - |
Here are the differences between store assistants' and store associates' demographics:
| Store Assistant | Store Associate | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 47.0% Female, 53.0% | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |