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The differences between store associates and stowers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a store associate has an average salary of $29,543, which is higher than the $27,464 average annual salary of a stower.
The top three skills for a store associate include sales floor, retail store and inventory management. The most important skills for a stower are PET, pallets, and basic math.
| Store Associate | Stower | |
| Yearly salary | $29,543 | $27,464 |
| Hourly rate | $14.20 | $13.20 |
| Growth rate | - | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 495,423 | 198,954 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| 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.
A stower is responsible for scanning a product and appropriately placing it to the right shelf for customer's consumption. Duties of a stower include inspecting the item for any defects and escalating damaged items to the supervisor ensuring adequately labeled products. Other responsibilities include operating essential store equipment, adhering to the sanitary standards of the working area, and assisting customers with their concerns and inquiries. A stower should have excellent time-management skills and the ability to multi-task, especially on working with a fast-paced environment.
Store associates and stowers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Store Associate | Stower | |
| Average salary | $29,543 | $27,464 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $36,000 | Between $21,000 And $34,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Lakewood, WA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Rich Products |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a store associate and a stower in terms of educational background:
| Store Associate | Stower | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 35% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between store associates' and stowers' demographics:
| Store Associate | Stower | |
| Average age | 41 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.8% Female, 51.2% | Male, 69.9% Female, 30.1% |
| 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, 8.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 6.7% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 6% |