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Support staff vs support associate

The differences between desk clerks supervisors and support associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a support staff, becoming a support associate takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a support associate has an average salary of $47,039, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.

The top three skills for a support staff include customer service, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a support associate are sales floor, computer system, and POS.

Support staff vs support associate overview

Support StaffSupport Associate
Yearly salary$31,772$47,039
Hourly rate$15.28$22.61
Growth rate36%10%
Number of jobs161,915100,892
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4742
Years of experience62

What does a support staff do?

School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.

What does a support associate do?

The primary role of sales support associates is to help sales staff and customers during the sales process. A sales support associate also performs other tasks that include maintaining positive customer relations, responding to customers' requests for quotes, information, and specifications, and, initiating contact with prospective customers. They are also responsible for coordinating proposals, sales literature production, and presentations. Requirements for this position include a high school diploma or general education development, administrative and communication skills, and organizational skills.

Support staff vs support associate salary

Desk clerks supervisors and support associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

Support StaffSupport Associate
Average salary$31,772$47,039
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $26,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companyLakeland ElectricApollo Global Management
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between support staff and support associate education

There are a few differences between a support staff and a support associate in terms of educational background:

Support StaffSupport Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Support staff vs support associate demographics

Here are the differences between desk clerks supervisors' and support associates' demographics:

Support StaffSupport Associate
Average age4742
Gender ratioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%11%

Differences between support staff and support associate duties and responsibilities

Support staff example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
  • Provide companionship to the consumer.
  • Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
  • Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
  • Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
  • Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.
  • Show more

Support associate example responsibilities.

  • Work involve managing departmental computer support for approximately 400 PC/MAC workstations and 8 servers, and to 80 faculty/staff.
  • Manage department flow by facilitating transportation of all patients to ancillary departments for testing.
  • Answer eligibility and coverage questions from insurance agents pertaining to Medicare advantage plans and prescription drug plans.
  • Provide personal care, treatment, and rehabilitation to individuals diagnose with mental retardation and/or developmental disabilities.
  • Provide tech support for apple phones.
  • Light Unix systems support and monthly data organization.
  • Show more

Support staff vs support associate skills

Common support staff skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Meal Preparation, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Home Maintenance, 6%
Common support associate skills
  • Sales Floor, 18%
  • Computer System, 13%
  • POS, 10%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Stockroom Organization, 5%
  • Customer Inquiries, 4%

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