Merchandise Displayers Career | Salary | Job Trends

Thousands of people worldwide have benefited from using the Strong Interest Inventory® (SII) to find their best-fit career. The Strong Interest Inventory® and its variation of assessments function by analyzing job seekers’ preferences in many different areas, including subject matter, workplace environment, degree of independence, professional flexibility, and more. After the assessment is completed, the interest inventory compares the assessment taker’s responses to a database of results from professionals working in specific areas in which they are satisfied. For example, someone whose answers are similar to those of Merchandise Displayers might be guided towards that specific career along with other Artistic careers as-well as further varying careers which share similar characteristics.

Merchandise Displaying is considered an Artistic career because it involves expressing a sense of creativity and aesthetics through a physical medium. Moreover, Merchandise Displayers must be able to see the possibilities within a space. Their primary responsibility is to design and execute commercial displays, such as retail planograms, storefront displays, and trade exhibition experiences, in a way that appeals to customers. This process typically involves brainstorming ideas and creating sketches, then bringing that vision to life by arranging furniture, backdrops, merchandise, signage, and other materials on the floor, tables, or fixtures in the manner shown. Other equipment, like photographs, lighting, drapes, carpets, tents, booths, or other accessories, may also be used. In addition to designing the displays themselves, Merchandise Displayers may be responsible for maintaining, organizing, and keeping an inventory of the materials used. They may also need to preserve the displays, especially in retail. For example, Merchandise Displayers at a designer clothing store may need to inspect mannequins for imperfections and make minor repairs. They may also need to clean up after customers or rotate displays to reflect seasonal changes, updates to inventory, or short-term promotions.

Strong Interest Inventory® Artistic Theme Code Merchandise Displayer

Discover the Strong Interest Inventory career as a Merchandise Displayer. Learn about this career in this data-rich write-up, including information such as income, daily tasks, required education, and more.

Along the way, Merchandise Displayers may need to consult with stakeholders and staff, including but not limited to sales associates, store managers, housekeeping staff, and even engineering consultants. These people support Merchandise Displayers in determining goals, selecting merchandise and display materials, creating a display plan, and executing that plan safely and cost-effectively. Merchandise Designers who work for a large corporation or organization may need to attend corporate planning meetings or other training sessions to stay current on company standards and verbiage.

The specific tools and software that are used depend on the displays themselves. However, most Merchandise Designers should be comfortable using power tools and woodworking hardware to construct and assemble display components from glass, paper, plastic, foam, and fabric. They should also be able to install decorations and signage, including lights, bunting, banners, and flags, on said displays. Computer skills and technology skills are becoming increasingly important as well. Merchandise Designers may need to use computers to create floor plans, models, sketches, and signage as needed. In addition to standard office software (e.g., e-mail, scheduling, word processing, and presentation programs), relevant software may include graphics programs (e.g., Adobe Systems Creative Cloud), computer-aided design programs (e.g., Autodesk AutoCAD), and desktop publishing software (e.g., Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign).

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Merchandise Displayers have a medium amount of education: 39% hold a high school diploma or equivalent, 20% have completed some college without earning a degree, and 18% hold a Bachelor’s degree. Most Merchandise Displayers develop their expertise by working under the guidance of more experienced professionals. Some abilities may also be innate or acquired in non-professional settings, such as the ability to visualize how something will look after rearranging or to brainstorm many ideas and communicate them clearly to a team.

The median salary for Merchandise Displayers in the United States is $15.41 per hour, which comes to $32,060 per year. However, these statistics vary depending on geographic location. For example, states with a comparatively high cost of living, such as California and New York, have median salaries closer to $36,000 per year. In contrast, the median salary in states with a lower cost of living, like Florida and Idaho, is closer to $30,000 per year. That said, there is a significant right-hand tail to the income distribution, and the most highly paid 10% of Merchandise Displayers in most places can earn $50,000 or more annually. The employment rate is another factor to consider when selecting a career. As of 2020, there were 136,400 Merchandise Displayers employed in the United States. This number is expected to grow slowly and steadily in the next decade, with an estimated 13,200 additional job openings by 2030.

Below are some employment trends for Merchandise Displayers: