Store associate demographics and statistics in the US
Store associate demographics research summary. Zippia estimates store associate demographics and statistics in the United States by using a database of 30 million profiles. Our store associate estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. Zippia's data science team found the following key facts about store associates after extensive research and analysis:
- There are over 114,154 store associates currently employed in the United States.
- 51.2% of all store associates are women, while 48.8% are men.
- The average store associate age is 40 years old.
- The most common ethnicity of store associates is White (56.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (20.0%), Black or African American (11.1%) and Asian (6.6%).
- In 2022, women earned 97% of what men earned.
- 7% of all store associates are LGBT.
- Store associates are 57% more likely to work at private companies in comparison to public companies.
On this page
Store associate demographics by:
Store associate gender statistics
51.2% of store associates are women and 48.8% of store associates are men.
- Female, 51.2%
- Male, 48.8%
Store associate gender ratio
| Gender | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Female | 51.2% |
| Male | 48.8% |
Store associate gender pay gap
Women earn 97¢ for every $1 earned by men
Male income
$30,366
Female income
$29,379
Store associate gender ratio over time
This data breaks down the percentage of men and women in store associate positions over time. Currently, 51.2% of store associates are female.
Store associate gender ratio by year
| Year | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 45.63% | 54.37% |
| 2011 | 45.30% | 54.70% |
| 2012 | 46.02% | 53.98% |
| 2013 | 46.03% | 53.97% |
| 2014 | 45.09% | 54.91% |
| 2015 | 45.98% | 54.02% |
| 2016 | 46.59% | 53.41% |
| 2017 | 46.90% | 53.10% |
| 2018 | 47.45% | 52.55% |
| 2019 | 46.56% | 53.44% |
| 2020 | 47.99% | 52.01% |
| 2021 | 48.82% | 51.18% |
Store associate related jobs gender ratio
We compared store associates with similar job titles to see how gender ratios vary. As you can see, parts counterman and lumber associate have the biggest gender ratio gaps.
| Job title | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| BRA Specialist | 6% | 94% |
| Clinique Consultant | 6% | 94% |
| Beauty Consultant | 6% | 94% |
| Store Associate | 49% | 51% |
| Cart Associate | 94% | 6% |
| Lumber Associate | 95% | 5% |
| Parts Counterman | 96% | 4% |
Male
Female
100%
75%
50%
25%
0%
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Store associate demographics by race
The most common ethnicity among store associates is White, which makes up 56.6% of all store associates. Comparatively, 20.0% of store associates are Hispanic or Latino and 11.1% of store associates are Black or African American.
- White, 56.6%
- Hispanic or Latino, 20.0%
- Black or African American, 11.1%
- Asian, 6.6%
- Unknown, 5.0%
- American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
Store associate race
| Store associate race | Percentages |
|---|---|
| White | 56.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 20.0% |
| Black or African American | 11.1% |
| Asian | 6.6% |
| Unknown | 5.0% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.7% |
Store associate race and ethnicity over time
See how store associate racial and ethnic diversity trended since 2010 according to the United States Census Bureau data.
Store associate race and ethnicity by year
| Year | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 64.88% | 11.50% | 5.34% | 15.61% |
| 2011 | 63.11% | 12.52% | 5.51% | 16.30% |
| 2012 | 62.82% | 12.03% | 5.66% | 16.75% |
| 2013 | 61.83% | 12.54% | 5.71% | 17.10% |
| 2014 | 61.78% | 12.15% | 6.15% | 17.20% |
| 2015 | 61.24% | 12.19% | 5.92% | 17.83% |
| 2016 | 61.04% | 11.86% | 5.91% | 18.13% |
| 2017 | 60.56% | 11.42% | 6.34% | 18.46% |
| 2018 | 60.67% | 11.18% | 6.02% | 18.97% |
| 2019 | 60.64% | 11.13% | 6.09% | 18.85% |
| 2020 | 58.14% | 11.13% | 6.46% | 19.24% |
| 2021 | 56.65% | 11.10% | 6.62% | 20.03% |
Store associate wage gap by race
According to our data, white store associates have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Unknown store associates have the lowest average salary at $30,103.
| Ethnicity | Salary |
|---|---|
| Unknown | $30,103 |
| White | $30,608 |
| Black or African American | $30,146 |
| Asian | $30,489 |
| Hispanic or Latino | $30,487 |
Average store associate age
See how the average age of store associates varies based on ethnicity and gender.
Male
Female
Store associate age by race and gender
| Race | Male age | Female age |
|---|---|---|
| Black or African American | 32.5 | 38 |
| Unknown | 37 | 31.5 |
| Asian | 40 | 47 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 30 | 31 |
| White | 43 | 43 |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 36.5 | 39 |
Store associate age breakdown
The average age of store associates is 40+ years years old, representing 49% of the store associate population.
Store associate age breakdown
| Store Associate Years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| 40+ years | 49% |
| 30-40 years | 18% |
| 20-30 years | 28% |
Store associate educational attainment
The most common degree for store associates is high school diploma, with 35% of store associates earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 32% and bachelor's degree degree at 20%.
- High School Diploma, 35%
- Bachelor's, 32%
- Associate, 20%
- Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 6%
Store associates by degree level
| Store associate degree | Percentages |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 35% |
| Bachelor's | 32% |
| Associate | 20% |
| Diploma | 7% |
| Other Degrees | 6% |
Store associate jobs you might like
Store associate wage gap by degree level
According to the data, store associates with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $31,836 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, store associates earn a median annual income of $31,663 compared to $29,840 for store associates with an Associate degree.
| Education | Salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $31,836 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $29,351 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $31,663 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $29,840 |
Store associate employment statistics
Most store associates work for a private in the retail industry.
Company size where store associates work
Below, you can see the size of companies where store associates work.
Store associate jobs by employer size
| Company size | Percentages |
|---|---|
| < 50 employees | 7% |
| 50 - 100 employees | 3% |
| 100 - 500 employees | 11% |
| 500 - 1,000 employees | 2% |
| 1,000 - 10,000 employees | 33% |
| > 10,000 employees | 45% |
Store associate jobs by company type
Employees with the store associate job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. For instance, most store associates prefer to work at private companies over public companies.
Store associate jobs by sector
| Company type | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Education | 1% |
| Public | 41% |
| Private | 57% |
| Government | 1% |
Store associate jobs by industry
The most common industries for store associates are retail, hospitality and manufacturing.
Store associate industry statistics
| Industry | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Retail | 54% |
| Fortune 500 | 14% |
| Hospitality | 9% |
| Manufacturing | 5% |
| Non Profits | 4% |
| Professional | 3% |
| Energy | 2% |
| Technology | 2% |
| Media | 1% |
| Internet | 1% |
| Transportation | 1% |
| Telecommunication | 1% |
| Government | 1% |
| Health Care | 1% |
| Finance | 1% |
| Start-up | 1% |
| Agriculture | 1% |
Store associate turnover and employment statistics
Store associate unemployment rate over time
The unemployment rate for store associates between 2008 and the most recent data has varied, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Store associate unemployment rate by year
| Year | Store associate unemployment rate |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 11.74% |
| 2011 | 10.94% |
| 2012 | 9.82% |
| 2013 | 8.89% |
| 2014 | 7.55% |
| 2015 | 7.02% |
| 2016 | 6.27% |
| 2017 | 6.04% |
| 2018 | 5.79% |
| 2019 | 5.48% |
| 2020 | 8.30% |
| 2021 | 8.88% |
Average store associate tenure
The average store associate stays at their job for 1-2 years, based on the 37,400 store associates resumes in Zippia's database.
Store associate tenure statistics
| Number of years | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 44% |
| 1-2 years | 29% |
| 3-4 years | 10% |
| 5-7 years | 11% |
| 8-10 years | 3% |
| 11+ years | 2% |
Store associate LGBT ratio compared to similar jobs
Review the percent of store associates that are members of the LGBT community. You can see how this compares to similar jobs in the chart below.
| Job title | LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Counter | 3.66% | 12,976 |
| Parts Runner | 3.76% | 36,491 |
| Restaurant Cashier | 5.05% | 131,740 |
| Store Associate | 7.10% | - |
Similar store associate jobs LGBT demographics
| Profession | Percentages of LGBT | Job openings |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Counter | 3.66% | 12,976 |
| Parts Runner | 3.76% | 36,491 |
| Restaurant Cashier | 5.05% | 131,740 |
Foreign languages spoken by store associates
The most common foreign language among store associates is Spanish at 67.5%. The second-most popular foreign language spoken is French at 7.8% and German is the third-most popular at 4.7%.
- Spanish, 67.5%
- French, 7.8%
- German, 4.7%
- Japanese, 2.3%
- Arabic, 2.1%
- Other, 15.6%
Store associate languages spoken
| Foreign language | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Spanish | 67.5% |
| French | 7.8% |
| German | 4.7% |
| Japanese | 2.3% |
| Arabic | 2.1% |
| Other | 15.6% |
