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Store manager vs sales manager

The differences between store managers and sales managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a store manager, becoming a sales manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a sales manager has an average salary of $73,952, which is higher than the $46,950 average annual salary of a store manager.

The top three skills for a store manager include store management, retail store and customer service. The most important skills for a sales manager are product knowledge, customer satisfaction, and sales performance.

Store manager vs sales manager overview

Store ManagerSales Manager
Yearly salary$46,950$73,952
Hourly rate$22.57$35.55
Growth rate6%5%
Number of jobs446,127119,066
Job satisfaction55
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4446
Years of experience68

What does a store manager do?

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.

What does a sales manager do?

Sales managers are responsible for leading the organization's sales team. They oversee the progress and performance of the whole team, set area assignments to team members, and set weekly or monthly quotas. Sales managers oversee training team members during onboarding and providing further coaching to help them achieve their goals. They manage the challenges that team members may meet and help mitigate any problems that come along the way. Sales managers also set the strategic direction of the sales team and follow through by ensuring that the team's activities are in line with the goals.

Store manager vs sales manager salary

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

Store ManagerSales Manager
Average salary$46,950$73,952
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $73,000Between $42,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateDelawareNew Jersey
Best paying companyMetaCapgemini
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between store manager and sales manager education

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

Store ManagerSales Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Southern California

Store manager vs sales manager demographics

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

Store ManagerSales Manager
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 51.2% Female, 48.8%Male, 68.7% Female, 31.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage10%7%

Differences between store manager and sales manager duties and responsibilities

Store manager example responsibilities.

  • Store achieve highest UPT in company for FY11.
  • Assist the DM and help to manage the district in her absence.
  • Manage the store's inventory with GNC guidelines; receiving, checking and shelving all merchandising orders.
  • Train and develop to manage multi-unit operations.
  • Create implementation plans to support execution of Starbucks initiatives to achieve both operational excellence and business results.
  • Develop and implement operational strategies utilizing less payroll expenses and allot hour usage to accomplish logistical and operational excellence.
  • Show more

Sales manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency in multitasking by performing multiple duties and managing differing responsibilities periodically.
  • Manage discount contracts, write up of add-ons, renewals, transfers of equities.
  • Manage and support one of the largest portfolios within the division and the largest in the Americas.
  • Manage website, updating product listings, enhancing SEO positioning, and maintaining overall site appearance and functionality.
  • Launch and manage the Americas outsourcing lead generation and qualification process.
  • Set all promotional activity, introduce new items and manage distributors in select markets.
  • Show more

Store manager vs sales manager skills

Common store manager skills
  • Store Management, 8%
  • Retail Store, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • PET, 5%
  • Loss Prevention, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
Common sales manager skills
  • Product Knowledge, 12%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Sales Performance, 6%
  • CRM, 5%
  • Sales Process, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%

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