Career Overview
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store.
Also Known As
- Parts Consultant
- Parts Counterperson
- Parts Salesman
- Parts Salesperson
Alternate Job Titles
- Appliance Parts Counter Clerk
- Automotive Parts Clerk (Auto Parts Clerk)
- Automotive Parts Counter Associate (Auto Parts Counter Associate)
- Automotive Parts Counter Person (Auto Parts Counter Person)
- Automotive Parts Counterperson (Auto Parts Counterperson)
- Automotive Parts Handler (Auto Parts Handler)
- Automotive Parts Salesperson (Auto Parts Salesperson)
- Automotive Parts Specialist (Auto Parts Specialist)
- Commercial Parts Professional
- Electronic Parts Salesperson
- Merchandising Assistant
- Parts Advisor
- Parts Associate
- Parts Back Counter Man
- Parts Clerk
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Receive payment or obtain credit authorization.
- Assist customers, such as responding to customer complaints and updating them about back-ordered parts.
- Fill customer orders from stock, and place orders when requested items are out of stock.
- Receive and fill telephone orders for parts.
- Locate and label parts, and maintain inventory of stock.
- Prepare sales slips or sales contracts.
- Read catalogs, microfiche viewers, or computer displays to determine replacement part stock numbers and prices.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Persuasion
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Inductive Reasoning
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Social Orientation
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Integrity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Independence
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Computer laser printers
- Digital still cameras
- Electronic cash registers
- Laptop computers
- Microfiche viewing equipment
- Multiline telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Tablet computers
- Warehouse forklifts
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Telephone Conversations
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $27,770 |
| Median | $37,440 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $61,750 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 265,060
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Counter and Rental Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,540
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $43,190
Retail Salespersons
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $34,580
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,540
Stockers and Order Fillers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,090
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.