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The differences between visual merchandisers and sales associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a visual merchandiser has an average salary of $38,037, which is higher than the $32,167 average annual salary of a sales associate.
The top three skills for a visual merchandiser include customer service, ladders and sales floor. The most important skills for a sales associate are customer service, sales floor, and cash handling.
| Visual Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $38,037 | $32,167 |
| Hourly rate | $18.29 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | 10% | - |
| Number of jobs | 74,351 | 579,849 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A visual merchandiser is responsible for arranging product displays at retail outlets, attracting customers to purchase the items. Visual merchandisers should be updated with the latest trends in the market to prioritize retail displays and floor plans. They must also be knowledgeable on product information to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. Visual merchandisers should be creative in setting up the uniformity of the store's visuals within the budget goals. The designs must be appealing enough to drive the customers around the premises, potentially generating revenues and increasing profitability.
Sales associates are responsible for promoting the company's goods or services. They are expected to provide exceptional customer service to prospective buyers. They should be familiar with all features of the company's products or services so that they can answer the customers' inquiries. Sales associates also assist customers in processing their checkouts, refunds, returns, and other needs. They should be customer-oriented, and they should have great communication skills. They should know how to sell their products or services to customers. They are considered the company's representatives on the ground.
Visual merchandisers and sales associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Visual Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Average salary | $38,037 | $32,167 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $53,000 | Between $21,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | RH | Barclays |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a visual merchandiser and a sales associate in terms of educational background:
| Visual Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Specialized Sales And Merchandising | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between visual merchandisers' and sales associates' demographics:
| Visual Merchandiser | Sales Associate | |
| Average age | 40 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7% | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 17% | 7% |