Visual Merchandisers
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Visual Merchandisers plan and install internal, window and fixed displays to show goods to their best advantage.
Also known as: Window Dresser.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Visual Merchandiser. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in visual merchandising or sales and marketing.
Tasks
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determining goods for display in accordance with prospective seasonal and promotional events
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developing overall promotional and display plans for approval
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preparing sketches and models showing layout, colour and other features for approval
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obtaining props and other accessories, and building displays
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setting up fabricated displays in store windows and other areas
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organising the setting out of goods to be shown as part of permanent displays
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arranging ticketing and signage
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arranging lighting to highlight fixtures, displays and goods
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Creative
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Enterprising
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Medium
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers in this occupation is likely to remain stable.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.
Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.
Number of Workers
Year | Employment |
---|---|
2011 | 5,000 |
2012 | 6,500 |
2013 | 6,100 |
2014 | 12,700 |
2015 | 7,300 |
2016 | 8,500 |
2017 | 9,300 |
2018 | 4,500 |
2019 | 8,500 |
2020 | 6,000 |
2021 | 7,600 |
2026 | 7,500 |
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 50% of people employed as Visual Merchandisers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 16 percentage points below the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
More than a third of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).
Median hourly earnings are $33, this is lower than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).
Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.
Industries
Main industries
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Visual Merchandisers work in industries like:
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Manufacturing
- Information media and telecommunications.
Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, annual average 2021.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Visual Merchandisers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 33.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 32.2 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.7 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.3 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.2 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.1 | 1.9 |
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Around 75% of Visual Merchandisers live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Melbourne - Inner
- Sydney - City and Inner South
- Melbourne - Inner South
- Melbourne - Outer East
- Sydney - Eastern Suburbs.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Visual Merchandisers is 36 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 85% of the workforce. This is 37 percentage points above the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Visual Merchandisers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 12.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 33.1 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 22.1 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 5.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 36 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Visual Merchandiser. Although some workers have a certificate III or IV in visual merchandising or sales and marketing.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Retail Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Visual Merchandisers | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 2.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 17.9 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 23.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 13.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 25.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 12.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Visual Merchandisers who interact well with others, provide good customer service and who are reliable.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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48%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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46%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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45%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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41%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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41%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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41%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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41%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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34%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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34%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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34%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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32%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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29%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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29%
Operations analysisUnderstanding needs and product requirements to create a design.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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60%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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57%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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46%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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45%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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41%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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36%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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34%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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32%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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30%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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26%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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25%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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24%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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24%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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23%
Fine artsCompose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
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22%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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22%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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18%
Sociology and anthropologyGroup behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
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14%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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14%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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52%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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50%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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48%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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48%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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48%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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46%
OriginalityCome up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.
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46%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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46%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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46%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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45%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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43%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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43%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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80%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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67%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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65%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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56%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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54%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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52%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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49%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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47%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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45%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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45%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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45%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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43%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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42%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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42%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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40%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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35%
Leading and encouraging a teamEncouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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34%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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34%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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30%
Coming up with systems and processesDeciding on goals and figuring out what you need to do to achieve them.
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28%
Guiding and directing staffGuiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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86%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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76%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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71%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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29%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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24%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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71%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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67%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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57%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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52%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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92%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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91%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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91%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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90%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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84%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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83%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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82%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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82%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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80%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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79%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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76%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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75%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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75%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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74%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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73%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
-
70%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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65%
Angry or unpleasant peopleDeal with unpleasant, angry, or rude people.
-
65%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
64%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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64%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 27-1026.00 - Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.