Research Summary. The Zippia data team has synthesized a wealth of public government and company data, along with insights from thousands of job postings, to present average salary estimates for merchandiser roles across the United States. This analysis reveals the highest-paid types of merchandisers based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paying types of merchandisers:
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Retail Sales Merchandiser ranks as the highest-paid merchandiser, with an average salary of $42,500 and an average hourly rate of $20.50.
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The second highest-paying type of merchandiser is the visual merchandiser, with an average salary of $40,000.
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The average salary for a merchandiser is $34,500 per year, translating to an average hourly pay of $16.60.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging. While compensation is a critical factor, it’s essential to consider your interests and career aspirations. If you’re considering a role as a merchandiser, understanding the highest-paying positions can aid in planning your career trajectory.
Here are the top salaries for various types of merchandisers:
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Retail Sales Merchandiser
Average Salary: $42,500
Retail sales merchandisers are crucial in promoting and selling goods or services in retail environments. They manage inventory, ensure proper product display, and execute promotional campaigns designed to enhance sales. Additionally, they resolve issues arising from audits and train staff on product knowledge to facilitate customer recommendations.
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Visual Merchandiser
Average Salary: $40,000
A visual merchandiser designs product displays that entice customers. They stay informed on market trends to optimize visual merchandising strategies and ensure that store aesthetics align with the brand image while staying within budget constraints. Their creativity drives customer engagement and, ultimately, sales.
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Grocery Associate
Average Salary: $37,000
Grocery Associates support store operations and enhance customer service. Their roles include welcoming customers, providing product recommendations, managing stock and rotation, and assisting in vendor merchandising. They also operate equipment and maintain cleanliness throughout the store.
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General Merchandise Clerk
Average Salary: $36,000
General Merchandise Clerks interact with customers and assist with their purchases. They manage special orders, conduct annual stock evaluations, and ensure compliance with quality standards while developing merchandising plans.
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Merchandising Representative
Average Salary: $33,000
Merchandising Representatives deliver shelf management services to boost sales. They develop merchandising strategies that align with customer expectations and company goals, maintain product displays, and analyze sales data and market trends to optimize stock levels.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average pay for various merchandisers, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Merchandisers
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Sales Merchandiser | |
| 2 | Visual Merchandiser | |
| 3 | Grocery Associate | |
| 4 | General Merchandise Clerk | |
| 5 | Merchandising Representative | |
| 6 | In-Stock Associate | |
| 7 | Produce Clerk | |
| 8 | Merchandiser, Sales | |
| 9 | Reset Merchandiser | |
| 10 | Dairy/Frozen Associate | |
| 11 | Dairy Clerk | |
| 12 | Sales/Stock Associate | |
| 13 | Driver/Merchandiser | |
| 14 | Overnight Stocker | |
| 15 | Stocker | |
| 16 | Cashier/Merchandiser | |
| 17 | Stock Clerk | |
| 18 | Merchandise Stocker | |
| 19 | Retail Merchandiser | |
| 20 | Stower |
Methodology
Zippia employs publicly sourced information from government entities, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to formulate salary estimates.
Our data science team also analyzes job postings and company-released information to provide current salary insights for merchandisers.
Upon gathering the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For more details on our salary estimates, you can refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Merchandiser Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid merchandiser job?
The highest-paid merchandiser job is a retail sales merchandiser. Retail Sales Merchandisers earn an average salary of $42,500, which equates to approximately $20.50 per hour.
These merchandisers are tasked with promoting and selling goods in retail settings, managing inventory, displaying merchandise effectively, and executing promotional campaigns to enhance sales. They are also responsible for addressing issues arising from audits and training staff on product knowledge.
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What is a good salary for a merchandiser?
A good salary for a merchandiser is $34,500 or more. The average merchandiser salary stands at $34,500, meaning those earning this amount are above the average pay scale.
However, salaries can vary significantly based on location and experience level. It’s advisable to research local salary averages for your expertise to gauge your compensation accurately.
For those entering the field, the average entry-level salary is lower, so it’s crucial to understand that the $34,500 average includes all experience levels.
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Do merchandiser jobs pay well?
Merchandiser jobs can have varying pay scales. While the average salary of $34,500 is below the average national salary of about $50,000 per year, many merchandising roles offer high earning potential, particularly for experienced professionals.
Merchandiser salaries fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s important to consider these factors during your job search. Conduct your research on salary expectations in your area to ensure you negotiate effectively.
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Where do merchandisers get paid the most?
Merchandisers tend to earn the highest wages in North Dakota. In North Dakota, the average annual salary for merchandisers is $34,500, with an hourly wage of $16.60.
Following North Dakota, states like Iowa, Michigan, and Oregon also report competitive salaries, averaging $33,000, $31,800, and $35,000 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid merchandiser salaries include:
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Richmond, CA – $40,000
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Seattle, WA – $39,500
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Portland, OR – $36,000
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
