Store associate vs store sales associate

The differences between store associates and store sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store sales associate has an average salary of $30,284, 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 sales associate are sales floor, POS, and product knowledge.

Store associate vs store sales associate overview

	Store Associate	Store Sales Associate
Yearly salary	$29,543	$30,284
Hourly rate	$14.20	$14.56
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	495,423	524,877
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	41	43
Years of experience	-	6

What does a store associate do?

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.

What does a store sales associate do?

A store sales associate is responsible for assisting store customers, directing them to the correct area of their needs, and responding to their inquiries and concerns regarding a product. Store sales associates also support the store's promotional campaigns, selling goods and services to the customers by demonstrating the product and its benefits. They keep the store premises clean and tidy to avoid any potential hazards during operations. A store sales associate must have excellent communication skills, especially on resolving customer complaints, processing replacements, and issuing refunds.

Store associate vs store sales associate salary

Store associates and store sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Store Associate	Store Sales Associate
Average salary	$29,543	$30,284
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $36,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Elizabeth, NJ
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Pro Football Hall of Fame	Rooms To Go
Best paying industry	Retail	Hospitality

Differences between store associate and store sales associate education

There are a few differences between a store associate and a store sales associate in terms of educational background:

	Store Associate	Store Sales Associate
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Store associate vs store sales associate demographics

Here are the differences between store associates' and store sales associates' demographics:

	Store Associate	Store Sales Associate
Average age	41	43
Gender ratio	Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2%	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.9% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	9%

Differences between store associate and store sales associate duties and responsibilities

Store associate example responsibilities.

Manage the appearance of the store in conjunction with the store priorities to present a desirable image of Aldi.
Work on the cash register, used calculators, POS machines and mental math.
Ensure that all cash handling are accurate and work with Ross' point-of-sale systems.
Put out freight as well as restocking the stock room, carrying 50 pound boxes up ladders.
Operate POS register and provide exceptional customer service.
Regulate profit margins, payroll, loss-prevention control and inventory management.

Store sales associate example responsibilities.

Manage to sales KPI's (including sales and expense budget numbers), assuring efficient and effective use of resources.
Earn management trust by serving as keyholder, responsibly opening and closing the store.
Audit all jewelry counts daily, banking deposit log, cashier logs, sales logs.
Utilize the company's POS system to cash customers out or administer returns to the store.
Work as a sales associate and keyholder throughout the summer and a bit of the school year.
Help customers choose jewelry, pierce ears, open and close out register, set up displays.

Store associate vs store sales associate skills

Common store associate skills

Sales Floor, 25%
Retail Store, 12%
Inventory Management, 9%
Cleanliness, 7%
Math, 5%
Strong Customer Service, 5%

Common store sales associate skills

Sales Floor, 20%
POS, 10%
Product Knowledge, 10%
Store Sales, 8%
Customer Service, 6%
Stock Room, 5%

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Sales Industry
Store Associate
Store Associate vs Store Sales Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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