Store sales associate vs associate sales representative

The differences between store sales associates and associate sales representatives 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 sales associate, becoming an associate sales representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an associate sales representative has an average salary of $51,007, which is higher than the $30,284 average annual salary of a store sales associate.

The top three skills for a store sales associate include sales floor, POS and product knowledge. The most important skills for an associate sales representative are work ethic, patients, and product knowledge.

Store sales associate vs associate sales representative overview

	Store Sales Associate	Associate Sales Representative
Yearly salary	$30,284	$51,007
Hourly rate	$14.56	$24.52
Growth rate	-	4%
Number of jobs	524,877	333,049
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 47%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	43	47
Years of experience	6	4

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.

What does an associate sales representative do?

The duties of an associate sales representative depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Their responsibilities typically revolve around reaching out to clients through calls or door-to-door visits, offering products and services, collecting payments, addressing issues and concerns, and performing corrective measures when necessary. An associate sales representative often has a quota and deadline to reach; therefore, it is essential to be sales driven and goal-oriented. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations of the company.

Store sales associate vs associate sales representative salary

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

	Store Sales Associate	Associate Sales Representative
Average salary	$30,284	$51,007
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $39,000	Between $37,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Elizabeth, NJ	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Rooms To Go	Verint
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Health Care

Differences between store sales associate and associate sales representative education

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

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

Store sales associate vs associate sales representative demographics

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

	Store Sales Associate	Associate Sales Representative
Average age	43	47
Gender ratio	Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%	Male, 50.8% Female, 49.2%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 3.8% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	9%	6%

Differences between store sales associate and associate sales representative duties and responsibilities

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.

Associate sales representative example responsibilities.

Manage organization website and Facebook page; writing articles for websites and newsletters.
Perform inside sales, including telemarketing, prospecting, account penetration and product application, consulting and delivery of customer service.
Learned how to ask proper questions and communicate MetLife's product differentiators against competition

Store sales associate vs associate sales representative skills

Common store sales associate skills

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

Common associate sales representative skills

Work Ethic, 16%
Patients, 13%
Product Knowledge, 12%
Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
Excellent Organizational, 4%
Sales Techniques, 4%

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Store Sales Associate
Store Sales Associate vs Associate Sales Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

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