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Retail Store Associate Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

DM Goodwill

Part-Time Retail Store Associate

Ames, IA · On-site

$15/hr

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for Retail Store Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love, kindness ...

DM Goodwill

Full-Time Retail Store Associate

Ames, IA · On-site

$15/hr

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for Retail Store Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love, kindness ...

Shoe Carnival

Store Associate

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$11/hr

Were looking for a friendly, enthusiastic Store Associate who enjoys creating great experiences for ... A fun, fast-paced retail atmosphere Physical Requirements: * Able to stand, walk, and lift up to 25 ...

Shoe Carnival

Store Associate

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$11/hr

Join our team at Shoe Carnival! We're looking for a friendly, enthusiastic Store Associate who ... A fun, fast-paced retail atmosphere Physical Requirements: * Able to stand, walk, and lift up to 25 ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$55K - $116K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together ... Associate discounts * Career pathing * Development opportunities Job Summary PetSmart's Store ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Ames, IA

$55K - $116K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together ... Associate discounts * Career pathing * Development opportunities Job Summary PetSmart's Store ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Ankeny, IA

$55K - $116K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together ... Associate discounts * Career pathing * Development opportunities Job Summary PetSmart's Store ...

PetSmart Careers

Retail Store Manager

Ames, IA

$55K - $116K/yr

Retail Store Manager About Life at PetSmart Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together ... Associate discounts * Career pathing * Development opportunities Job Summary PetSmart's Store ...

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Retail Store Associate information

See Ames, IA salary details

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How much do retail store associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for retail store associate in Ames, IA is $15.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.33 and $16.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a retail store associate?

Retail Store Associates are employees who assist customers in a retail environment. Their responsibilities typically include greeting shoppers, helping them find products, answering questions, restocking shelves, operating cash registers, and maintaining a clean and organized store. They play a key role in providing a positive shopping experience and ensuring customer satisfaction. Retail Store Associates may also handle returns, process payments, and assist with inventory management.

What does a retail store associate do?

Retail Store Associates play a vital role in supporting team goals by collaborating closely with colleagues to maintain store organization, restock merchandise, and ensure accurate pricing. On a daily basis, they interact directly with customers, assist with product selection, resolve concerns, and help create a positive shopping experience. Associates often work together to meet sales targets, complete inventory tasks, and uphold store policies, all of which directly impact customer satisfaction and the overall success of the store.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a retail store associate?

To thrive as a Retail Store Associate, you need strong customer service skills, basic math abilities, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory management software, and barcode scanners is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and a positive attitude are standout soft skills in this role. These qualities are essential for delivering excellent customer experiences, ensuring accurate transactions, and maintaining efficient store operations.

What is the difference between Retail Store Associate vs Cashier?

AspectRetail Store AssociateCashier
Primary RoleAssists customers, stocks shelves, maintains store appearanceProcesses transactions, handles payments, issues receipts
Required SkillsCustomer service, product knowledge, communicationCash handling, basic math, customer service
Work EnvironmentRetail store, various departmentsCheckout counters, retail store
Common CertificationsNone typically requiredNone typically required

While both roles are essential in retail, a Retail Store Associate has broader responsibilities including customer assistance and stock management, whereas a Cashier primarily handles transactions at the checkout. Both positions require strong customer service skills and are commonly found in retail environments.

What is the easiest retail store associate job to get into?

Entry-level retail store associate positions are generally the easiest to obtain, as they often require minimal prior experience and focus on basic customer service and stocking tasks. These roles typically have open hiring policies and may not require formal certifications, making them accessible for new job seekers.

What are the most commonly searched types of Retail Store jobs in Ames, IA?

The most popular types of Retail Store jobs in Ames, IA are:

What are popular job titles related to Retail Store Associate jobs in Ames, IA?

For Retail Store Associate jobs in Ames, IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Retail Store Associate jobs in Ames, IA look for?

The top searched job categories for Retail Store Associate jobs in Ames, IA are:

What cities near Ames, IA are hiring for Retail Store Associate jobs?

Cities near Ames, IA with the most Retail Store Associate job openings:

Retail Store Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Retail Store Associate job openings in Ames, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,093 per year, or $15.4 per hour.

Part-Time Retail Store Associate

Johnston, IA

Goodwill of Central Iowa
Non-Profits • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Goodwill of Central Iowaexternal

$15 - $16/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Goodwill of Central Iowa is looking for Retail Store Associates to accept, sort, and merchandise donated goods, cashier, and deliver outstanding customer service with our values of love, kindness, and respect.
Hours amp; Schedules:
  • Part-Time (10-29 hours/week) positions available
  • No retail holiday season! Shifts are scheduled Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 10 pm and Sunday: 11 am - 6 pm
  • This position requires a flexible schedule which includes days, evenings, and weekends to support business needs.
Pay amp; Benefits:
  • Starting wage of $15.00/hour and an additional $1.00/hour on Saturday and Sunday shifts worked!
  • Monthly Retail Associate Bonus eligibility based on store production and revenue goals being met!
  • Annual merit increase eligibility based on individual job performance.​
  • Part-Time Retail Store Associates enjoy some benefits too! Click here for PTO amp; retirement + employer match information!
Successful candidates have:
  • Excellent service skills for daily customer interactions
  • Flexibility to work positively on a team within Goodwill of Central Iowa's values of treating others with love, kindness, amp; respect
  • Effective communication and basic math skills - point-of-sale (POS) system experience is a plus
Our Retail Store Associates serve as the first point of contact for Goodwill of Central Iowa’s (GCI) retail customers at both the sales floor or at the donation door. This position will provide excellent customer service and respond to customer needs in a timely manner; operate a cash register, select and rotate merchandise, clean and organize fixtures, and merchandise donated goods. Store Clerks will receive, sort and process donated goods from the donation door to the sales floor.
What you'll do here:
  • Greet, assist, and engage with customers in a helpful and courteous manner
  • Receive donations from the public
  • Sort donations, stack and organize sorted merchandise, ensure quality of goods processed meets standards
  • Work with supervisors to arrange and rotate items on the sales floor, keep merchandise organized and easily accessible to customers
  • Practice safe cash handling and operate the cash register, including calculating and balancing cash register as scheduled
  • Carryout general cleaning tasks, such as: sweeping, scrubbing, dusting, and mopping
  • Use a dolly, wheeled cart, pallet jack, and possibly riding or walk behind forklift
  • Meet daily production goals
  • Other duties as assigned
What you’ll need:
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • A high school diploma or currently attending high school or GED classes, or a minimum of four years of any combination of military service, high school, or related full-time paid employment
  • Availability to work days, evenings, and weekends
  • Ability to carry, lift, push or pull 40 pounds
  • Ability to tolerate variations in work environment temperature
  • Ability to be stationary or mobile for long periods of time
  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Effective communication and basic math skills
  • Must be able to pass a criminal background check and a dependent adult and child abuse background check
Retail Career Development Pathways Could Look Like:
  • Retail Shift Leader - Assist with directing, coordinating, amp; monitoring retail store operations and support employee training.
  • Engagement Coordinator - Assist with new employee onboarding, training, and coaching to successfully integrate employees into GCI's work culture, environment, and processes.
  • E-Commerce Coordinator - Identifies and processes trending/valuable donations to be sold on E-Commerce platforms amp; coaches in-store team members to do the same.
  • Assistant Store Manager - Manages day-to-day retail operations and assists with training, coaching, and performance management of store teams to achieve goals.
  • Store Manager-In-Training - Assists with directing store operations to train, lead, and manage store team members and learn how to achieve key performance metrics and manage revenue targets.
  • Store Manager - Directs store operations to lead, train, and develop employees, champion service excellence, and achieve key performance indicators and revenue targets in support of funding GCI’s mission.
  • District Manager - Oversees multi-unit store operations management by leading teams to drive operational and service excellence, overall financial performance, loss control activities, customer service, inventory control, and quality standards within their assigned stores.
Goodwill of Central Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability) and E-Verify Participant.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
If you are ready to work for an organization that brings out the best in people, apply today!

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