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The differences between store associates and merchandising associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a merchandising associate has an average salary of $33,201, which is higher than the $29,543 average annual salary of a store associate.
The top three skills for a store associate include sales floor, retail store and inventory management. The most important skills for a merchandising associate are cleanliness, sales floor, and customer service.
| Store Associate | Merchandising Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $29,543 | $33,201 |
| Hourly rate | $14.20 | $15.96 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 495,423 | 370,401 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
Merchandise associates ensure that customers get a complete shopping experience. They pleasantly arrange and stock merchandise on shelves for customers to purchase. Also, they assemble product displays and make sure popular and on-sale products are visible to customers. Part of their duty is to place the appropriate sales tag on items and record new developments in the store's inventory. Skills required for the job include excellent customer service, being detail-oriented, and relevant experience in sales.
Store associates and merchandising associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Associate | Merchandising Associate | |
| Average salary | $29,543 | $33,201 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $36,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Uline |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a store associate and a merchandising associate in terms of educational background:
| Store Associate | Merchandising Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 41% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between store associates' and merchandising associates' demographics:
| Store Associate | Merchandising Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% | Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |