Career Explorer Arts, media and sport
Human edge, steady
Merchandise displayers and window trimmers
Plan and erect commercial displays, such as those in windows and interiors of retail stores and at trade exhibitions.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 72% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it moderate), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.7% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision and physical dexterity.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- $39,390
- Job growth to 2035
- +2.7%
- Openings a year
- 17,200
- People doing it (2025)
- 165,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Arrange displays or decorations
- Communicate with others about specifications or project details
- Select materials or equipment for operations or projects
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Replenish inventories of materials, equipment, or products
- Communicate with others about business strategies
- Train others on operational or work procedures
What the work looks like
- Dress mannequins for displays.
- Plan commercial displays to entice and appeal to customers.
- Arrange properties, furniture, merchandise, backdrops, or other accessories, as shown in prepared sketches.
- Change or rotate window displays, interior display areas, or signage to reflect changes in inventory or promotion.
- Place prices or descriptive signs on backdrops, fixtures, merchandise, or floor.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects
- Fewer of these jobs, as increasing digital advertising results in reduced demand for the services provided by in-store brick-and-mortar merchandise displayers and window trimmers.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Costume attendantsHuman edge, growing, Index 90, +5.9%
- Cooks, private householdHuman edge, growing, Index 74, +5.1%
- Makeup artists, theatrical and performanceHuman edge, growing, Index 94, +6.1%
- Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologistsHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +7.7%
Also known as: Display Associate, Merchandiser, Visual Merchandiser (VM), Visual Merchandising Specialist, Decorator, Display Decorator, Display Specialist, In-Store Marketing Associate.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.