What Are the Education Requirements of a Visual Merchandising Career?

<p>Visual merchandising is a company's silent salesperson. The job entails setting up a store's layout and creating displays that entice customers to pick up a product they didn't plan on purchasing. Everyone makes impulse buys - visual merchandising exploits this tendency. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutVisualMerchandisers">Important Facts About Visual Merchandisers</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Training</td><td> Previous work experience or training</td></tr> <tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Visualization, creativity, communication, teamwork, time management</td></tr> <tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> May be part of a team; work may be physically demanding; may work early mornings before store opens or late nights after closing</td></tr> <tr><td>Similar Occupations</td><td> Set and exhibit designers, sales managers, retail buyers, retail salespersons, floral designers</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---MinimumEducationRequirements">Minimum Education Requirements</h3> <p>A career in visual merchandising may be obtained with no more than a high school diploma, as some employers are willing to train on the job. However, some employers may prefer or require some formal postsecondary education. Postsecondary education is a definite requirement for advancement in a visual merchandising career. In some cases, certificate or degree programs include internships, allowing students to gain practical experience in the field. </p> <h3 id="section---FormalEducationPrograms"> Formal Education Programs</h3> <p>Earning an associate's degree or certificate in retail or design can lead to a visual merchandising career as a merchandiser or merchandising assistant. A bachelor's degree in visual merchandising, graphic design, fashion, fashion management, business, marketing or retail management can all lead to a career as a visual merchandising director or manager. Visual merchandising 4-year programs may include courses that utilize 'Mockshop,' a software application that models a 3-D virtual store. Students additionally learn about techniques, strategies, planning, theories and concepts in visual merchandising, as well as subjects including the following: </p> <ul><li>Interior store design </li><li>Store layout </li><li>Fixtures </li><li>Lighting and signs </li><li>Merchandising planograms </li><li>Target market </li></ul><h2 id="section---VisualMerchandisingCareerOutlookAndSalaryInformation"> Visual Merchandising Career Outlook and Salary Information</h2> <h3 id="section---MerchandisingAssistant"> Merchandising Assistant</h3> <p>In November 2022, <i>PayScale.com</i> reported that most visual merchandising assistants earned between $35,000 and $60,000 per year. The median hourly wage for these workers was $15.80. </p> <h3 id="section---VisualMerchandiser"> Visual Merchandiser</h3> <p><i>PayScale.com</i> listed a median yearly wage of $48,334 for visual merchandisers in January 2023, with most making an annual income of $35,000 - $75,000. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the number of jobs for merchandise displayers and window trimmers will increase 5% between 2021 and 2031, which is as fast as the average compared to other occupations. </p> <h3 id="section---VisualMerchandisingManager"> Visual Merchandising Manager</h3> <p>According to <i>PayScale.com</i> in December 2022, visual merchandising managers usually earned $46,000 - $101,000 per year, with the median annual wage falling at $73,066. </p> <h3 id="section---VisualMerchandisingDirector"> Visual Merchandising Director</h3> <p>As reported by <i>PayScale.com</i>, most visual merchandising directors earned an annual wage of $84,000 - $156,000 as of October 2022. At that time, the profession's median yearly wage was $119,818.</p>