Store manager trainee vs store sales associate

The differences between store managers trainee and store sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a store manager trainee and a store sales associate. Additionally, a store manager trainee has an average salary of $67,389, which is higher than the $30,284 average annual salary of a store sales associate.

The top three skills for a store manager trainee include store management, training programs and human resources. The most important skills for a store sales associate are sales floor, POS, and product knowledge.

Store manager trainee vs store sales associate overview

	Store Manager Trainee	Store Sales Associate
Yearly salary	$67,389	$30,284
Hourly rate	$32.40	$14.56
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	158,734	524,877
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	6	6

What does a store manager trainee do?

A store manager trainee is temporarily in charge of performing managerial support tasks while gaining practical experience as preparation for the job position. Their responsibilities include overseeing the daily store operations to learn every procedure, answering calls and correspondence, managing staff schedules, and developing strategies to increase sales and boost customer satisfaction. They must also respond to issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Moreover, as a store manager trainee, it is essential to understand and implement the store's policies and regulations.

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 manager trainee vs store sales associate salary

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

	Store Manager Trainee	Store Sales Associate
Average salary	$67,389	$30,284
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $88,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Providence, RI	Elizabeth, NJ
Highest paying state	Rhode Island	New Jersey
Best paying company	Walmart	Rooms To Go
Best paying industry	Health Care	Hospitality

Differences between store manager trainee and store sales associate education

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

	Store Manager Trainee	Store Sales Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi	SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

Store manager trainee vs store sales associate demographics

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

	Store Manager Trainee	Store Sales Associate
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9%	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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	9%	9%

Differences between store manager trainee and store sales associate duties and responsibilities

Store manager trainee example responsibilities.

Manage restaurant for cost, profitability, quality, service, cleanliness, and consistency.
Manage the office including A/R, A/P, balance checking accounts and are responsible for weekly payroll.
Monitor and manage inventory with excel and QuickBooks.
Perform daily deposits, sales reports, A/R and A/P.
Cash management POS opening and closing procedures.
Set up and run facebook page for the store.

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 manager trainee vs store sales associate skills

Common store manager trainee skills

Store Management, 14%
Training Programs, 11%
Human Resources, 9%
Inventory Management, 8%
Customer Service, 8%
Loss Prevention, 7%

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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Store Manager Trainee
Store Manager Trainee vs Store Sales Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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