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The differences between store associates and sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a sales associate has an average salary of $32,167, 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 sales associate are customer service, sales floor, and cash handling.
| Store Associate | Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $29,543 | $32,167 |
| Hourly rate | $14.20 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 495,423 | 579,849 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| 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.
Sales associates are responsible for promoting the company's goods or services. They are expected to provide exceptional customer service to prospective buyers. They should be familiar with all features of the company's products or services so that they can answer the customers' inquiries. Sales associates also assist customers in processing their checkouts, refunds, returns, and other needs. They should be customer-oriented, and they should have great communication skills. They should know how to sell their products or services to customers. They are considered the company's representatives on the ground.
Store associates and sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Associate | Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $29,543 | $32,167 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $36,000 | Between $21,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Barclays |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a store associate and a sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Store Associate | Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between store associates' and sales associates' demographics:
| Store Associate | Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |