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The differences between design consultants and visual merchandisers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a design consultant has an average salary of $77,803, which is higher than the $38,037 average annual salary of a visual merchandiser.
The top three skills for a design consultant include product knowledge, java and design process. The most important skills for a visual merchandiser are customer service, ladders, and sales floor.
| Design Consultant | Visual Merchandiser | |
| Yearly salary | $77,803 | $38,037 |
| Hourly rate | $37.41 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 59,470 | 74,351 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
A design consultant is an individual who provides expertise incorporating functionality and aesthetics to a space or product based on the evaluation of the needs of customers or clients. Design consultants may collaborate with other professionals such as architects, graphic designers, or fashion designers to cater to the needs of their customers. They assist in improving existing designs, either in interior designs, fashions, or graphics. Design consultants may also work in different work settings like retail stores, architectural companies, or graphic design firms.
A visual merchandiser is responsible for arranging product displays at retail outlets, attracting customers to purchase the items. Visual merchandisers should be updated with the latest trends in the market to prioritize retail displays and floor plans. They must also be knowledgeable on product information to assist customers with their inquiries and concerns. Visual merchandisers should be creative in setting up the uniformity of the store's visuals within the budget goals. The designs must be appealing enough to drive the customers around the premises, potentially generating revenues and increasing profitability.
Design consultants and visual merchandisers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Consultant | Visual Merchandiser | |
| Average salary | $77,803 | $38,037 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $119,000 | Between $27,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | New York |
| Best paying company | Slalom | RH |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a design consultant and a visual merchandiser in terms of educational background:
| Design Consultant | Visual Merchandiser | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Interior Design | Specialized Sales And Merchandising |
| Most common college | Cornell University | - |
Here are the differences between design consultants' and visual merchandisers' demographics:
| Design Consultant | Visual Merchandiser | |
| Average age | 42 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.1% Female, 51.9% | Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 23% | 17% |