Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers

Career Overview

Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.

Also Known As

• Display Associate
• Merchandiser
• Visual Merchandiser (VM)
• Visual Merchandising Specialist

Alternate Job Titles

• Apparel Merchandiser
• Decorator
• Display Artist
• Display Associate
• Display Coordinator
• Display Decorator
• Display Designer
• Display Specialist
• Display Trimmer
• Draper
• Fashion Merchandiser
• Field Representative (Field Rep)
• Freelance Displayer
• Grocery Merchandiser
• In-Store Marketing Associate

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Plan commercial displays to entice and appeal to customers.
• Arrange properties, furniture, merchandise, backdrops, or other accessories, as shown in prepared sketches.
• Change or rotate window displays, interior display areas, or signage to reflect changes in inventory or promotion.
• Place prices or descriptive signs on backdrops, fixtures, merchandise, or floor.
• Consult with store managers, buyers, sales associates, housekeeping staff, or engineering staff to determine appropriate placement of displays or products.
• Maintain props, products, or mannequins, inspecting them for imperfections, doing touch-ups, cleaning up after customers, or applying preservative coatings as necessary.
• Develop ideas or plans for merchandise displays or window decorations.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Customer and Personal Service
• Sales and Marketing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Visualization
• Oral Comprehension
• Speech Clarity
• Oral Expression
• Manual Dexterity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Speech Recognition
• Far Vision
• Trunk Strength
• Near Vision

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Innovation
• Attention to Detail
• Dependability
• Cooperation
• Adaptability

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions
• Support

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Acrobat
• Adobe Creative Cloud software
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Apple iOS
• Apple Safari
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Google Docs
• Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Excel

Tools & Equipment

• Air brushes
• Artists' brushes
• Claw hammers
• Desktop computers
• Digital cameras
• Dollies
• Glue guns
• Hand saws
• Ladders
• Locking pliers
• Personal computers
• Phillips head screwdrivers
• Power drills
• Power saws
• Power staplers

Work Environment

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Contact With Others
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
• Spend Time Standing
• Spend Time Walking or Running

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$30,050
Median	$37,350
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$53,800

Workers Employed Nationally: 192,480

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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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.