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The differences between store associates and store managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store manager has an average salary of $46,950, 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 store manager are store management, retail store, and customer service.
| Store Associate | Store Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $29,543 | $46,950 |
| Hourly rate | $14.20 | $22.57 |
| Growth rate | - | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 495,423 | 446,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
A store manager is responsible for monitoring the daily operations, making sure of its smooth and efficient performance with the best services provided to the customers. Store managers' duty also includes tracking the budget of the store to ensure that all expenses are meeting the sales goals. A store manager must also be able to plan and share strategies to boost sales performance and provide the needed support for the employees by communicating with them regularly, listening on suggestions, and taking necessary actions for complaints as required.
Store associates and store managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Associate | Store Manager | |
| Average salary | $29,543 | $46,950 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $36,000 | Between $30,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a store associate and a store manager in terms of educational background:
| Store Associate | Store Manager | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between store associates' and store managers' demographics:
| Store Associate | Store Manager | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% | Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8% |
| 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, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 10% |