Explore This Path

Online Merchant

💰 Earn $61K-$127K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 24–48 Month Training

📈 3% Job Growth

Thrive in a dynamic online retail world, shaping business strategies and sales success.
Drive e-commerce growth by managing inventory, marketing, and customer satisfaction.
Innovate with tech tools to streamline orders and enhance the shopping experience.

What Online Merchants DoConduct 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.

Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.

Online Merchants Education, Salary, and Growth

Minimum EducationHigh School Diploma or GED

Career ProspectsGood (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time2 to 4 years

Job Openings108,200 Annually

Median Earnings

$83,820 in California

$81,270 Nationally

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Only you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.

Is This Career Right For You?

YOU Like

Influencing or leading others
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

you value

Accomplishing things
Having freedom
Job security

you are skilled in

Speaking
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Mathematics

Go Deeper: Online Merchants Explained

Online MerchantExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years

ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.

🎓 Paid Work

⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years

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