Retail Industry Fundamentals

Median Annual Income

$135,160

Projected Job Growth

+6 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

Median Annual Income

$136,380

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.

Median Annual Income

$71,950

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts.

Median Annual Income

$71,950

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

Median Annual Income

$75,670

Projected Job Growth

+5 %

Career Cluster(s)

Public Service & Safety

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

Median Annual Income

$76,900

Projected Job Growth

+7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

Bachelor's degree

Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

Median Annual Income

$65,630

Projected Job Growth

+1 %

Career Cluster(s)

Marketing & Sales

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

Median Annual Income

$54,300

Projected Job Growth

+2 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.

Median Annual Income

$46,670

Projected Job Growth

-7 %

Career Cluster(s)

Supply Chain & Transportation

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

Median Annual Income

$60,150

Projected Job Growth

-3 %

Career Cluster(s)

Financial Services

Most Common Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent

Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.