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Stower vs merchandise stocker

The differences between stowers and merchandise stockers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a merchandise stocker has an average salary of $29,224, which is higher than the $27,464 average annual salary of a stower.

The top three skills for a stower include PET, pallets and basic math. The most important skills for a merchandise stocker are pallet jack, customer service, and stock shelves.

Stower vs merchandise stocker overview

StowerMerchandise Stocker
Yearly salary$27,464$29,224
Hourly rate$13.20$14.05
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs198,954204,511
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a stower do?

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.

What does a merchandise stocker do?

A merchandise stocker is an employee who ensures that shelves and aisles are stocked with the merchandise in retail stores or warehouses. Merchandise stockers must receive the goods, unload or unpack them, mark them with codes to be identified, and stock them on shelves. They help customers to fill orders through mail, web, or phone while preparing the customers' merchandise for shipment. They must also operate a forklift so that they can lift or place merchandise at the assigned shelves.

Stower vs merchandise stocker salary

Stowers and merchandise stockers have different pay scales, as shown below.

StowerMerchandise Stocker
Average salary$27,464$29,224
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $34,000Between $24,000 And $35,000
Highest paying CityLakewood, WATacoma, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyRich ProductsPepsiCo
Best paying industryTechnologyRetail

Differences between stower and merchandise stocker education

There are a few differences between a stower and a merchandise stocker in terms of educational background:

StowerMerchandise Stocker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Stower vs merchandise stocker demographics

Here are the differences between stowers' and merchandise stockers' demographics:

StowerMerchandise Stocker
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 69.9% Female, 30.1%Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 23.8% Asian, 6.8% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between stower and merchandise stocker duties and responsibilities

Stower example responsibilities.

  • Operate material handling equipment in safe and efficient manner; including forklifts, balers, and compactors.
  • Itemize and total customer purchases at checkout counter, using POS terminal, and accept various forms of payment.
  • Use all equipment in deli/bakery/bistro such as the refrigerators, freezers, slicers, and ovens according to company guidelines.
  • Operate POS cash registers, closing/opening tills, balancing the cash drawer, and ensure customers are greeted and serve quickly.
  • Operate heavy machinery including balers and forklifts.
  • Maintain cleanliness of equipment and floor to ensure safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Show more

Merchandise stocker example responsibilities.

  • Clean stock area and maintain cleanliness of retail area.
  • Use RF scanners to do price markdowns for monthly clearance.
  • Used RF scanners to track multiple product locations and expiration dates.
  • Perform courtesy task that includes locating items for customers and bagging groceries.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned (i.e maintain orders and cleanliness in the store and serve as cashier).
  • Greet customers while bagging their groceries, collect carts in parking lot, put away return items, general sanitation.
  • Show more

Stower vs merchandise stocker skills

Common stower skills
  • PET, 23%
  • Pallets, 18%
  • Basic Math, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
Common merchandise stocker skills
  • Pallet Jack, 34%
  • Customer Service, 28%
  • Stock Shelves, 18%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Food Handling, 4%
  • Store Management, 2%

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