Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
Online Merchants
SOC: 13-1199 O*NET: 13-1199.06
Median Salary
$81,270
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
108.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
What does a Online Merchants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$46,230
10th percentile
Early Career
$60,820
25th percentile
Median
$81,270
50th percentile
Experienced
$110,030
75th percentile
Top Earners
$147,830
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$46,230
25th
$60,820
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$81,270
Mean: $92,380
75th
$110,030
90th
$147,830
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $101,600 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $60,820 and $110,030
- •Salary spread is 60.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 1,128,200 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:1,205,700
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services13.8%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services13.8%
Finance and Insurance6.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:108,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)1,205,700
Current
2034 (Projected)1,242,000
+3%
+36,300
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Online Merchants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
168,180 jobs$83,8201.27x
Texas
92,850 jobs$79,5400.92x
Georgia
78,990 jobs$75,8202.22x
Florida
68,130 jobs$77,9300.95x
Washington
48,470 jobs$93,4501.87x
Colorado
46,350 jobs$89,8602.19x
Virginia
45,720 jobs$85,8001.54x
Illinois
41,810 jobs$77,9800.94x
North Carolina
40,580 jobs$77,0901.13x
Maryland
38,450 jobs$100,7401.91x
District of Columbia
38,240 jobs$106,8107.37x
New Jersey
35,820 jobs$88,0701.15x
Ohio
31,820 jobs$77,7100.79x
New York
31,170 jobs$84,3100.45x
Pennsylvania
29,690 jobs$81,3400.67x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists100%
5 shared skills
Environmental Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Accountants and Auditors82%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Air Traffic Controllers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Online Merchants
Technology Intensity
Low
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires basic digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Email and internet usageBasic software navigationFile management
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
Varies
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
Varies
🤝
Customer Interaction
NONE
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in varies environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Online Merchants
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Online Merchants professionals typically have a CES Holland code and highly value independence
CConventional
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Online Merchants
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.45
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.38
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.31
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.14
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.12
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.99
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.4
Initiative
4.3
Persistence
4.1
Integrity
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Independence
4.0
Analytical Thinking
3.9
Cooperation
3.9
Innovation
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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