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Auctioneer

Auctioneers arrange auction sales, advertise, assess goods and property, run bidding, and sell items to the highest bidders.

Also Known As

Salesperson

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 6411: Sales Representatives, Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical)

2006 NOC-S

  • G111: Sales Representatives Wholesale Trade (NonTechnical)

2011 NOC

  • 6411: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

2016 NOC

  • 6411: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

2021 NOC

  • 64101: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

2023 OaSIS

  • 64101.00: Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)
Duties
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Auctioneers sell a wide range of items. This may include livestock, industrial machinery, cars, trucks, antiques, real estate, art, and furniture. In general, they:

  • Assess and market items before a sale
  • Arrange and display goods in groups according to similarity and value
  • List, describe, and photograph items for online auctions
  • Advertise auctions  
  • Sell items by describing goods and asking for bids
  • Encourage higher bids by keeping possible buyers interested
  • Aim to sell goods at fair market value
  • Sell to the highest bidders
  • Wrap up sales by recording the names and addresses of buyers and their bids
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Strength Required Lift up to 10 kg

Auctioneers work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. Those who focus on agriculture (such as selling livestock) spend much of their time in auction marts or farmyards. A certain amount of travel is needed. When sales are running, long hours may be required.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale Trade (Non-Technical)

2006 NOC: 6411

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

Interest in persuading to promote sales to existing clients; in providing clients with presentations on the benefits and uses of goods and services; and in representing companies that export and import products or services to and from foreign countries

METHODICAL

Interest in compiling information to identify and solicit potential clients

directive

Interest in overseeing the preparation of sales and other contracts; may supervise the activities of other sales representatives

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Auctioneers need:

  • A strong, clear voice
  • Fluent speech and bid calling skill
  • A patient but firm manner
  • Business, appraisal, and marketing skills
  • Problem-solving abilities
  • Listening and social skills
  • The stamina to prepare for auctions and keep up a brisk pace

They should enjoy:

  • Working with people
  • Compiling information
  • Supervising others

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

2016 NOC: 6411

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 128 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 15, 2023 and Oct 04, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Identify and solicit potential clients
Client focus
Excellent oral communication
Attention to detail
Organized
Effective interpersonal skills
Team player
Initiative
Flexibility
Excellent written communication
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Minimum Education Varies

Auctioneers must be familiar with the usefulness and current market value of the goods they sell. It is possible to learn these things by working as an auction employee. But training positions can be hard to obtain.

Training or experience in business administration is a definite asset in setting up and running a successful auction business.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 21, 2023
  • Certification Provincially Regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Auctioneer

Auctioneers arrange and advertise auction sales, assess goods and property, run bidding, and sell items to the highest bidders.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Consumer Protection Act [pdf] and Public Auctions Regulation [pdf], anyone who conducts the bidding at a sale by public auction in the province must meet the qualifications set by the Government of Alberta.

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Auctioneer.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Auctioneers may work at auction marts and auction rooms. They may also be self-employed. Many auction businesses are family-owned. Openings for new employees may be limited.

In Alberta, auction sales businesses must be licensed and bonded. A trust account and $25,000 bond are needed.

For auctioneers, success depends on the reputations they build.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)
2016 NOC: 6411

79.0% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)
2021 NOC: 64101
Medium
Demand
29,600
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)
2016 NOC: 6411
2.1%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
577
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Auctioneers may be paid a regular wage or work on a commission basis. Their earnings vary tremendously depending on the type of auction, the current economic situation, and the reputation of the auctioneer. Those setting up their own businesses may work in other occupations to provide an additional source of income until they have established a good reputation in the auction sales industry.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Sales and account representatives - wholesale trade (non-technical)

2016 NOC: 6411
Average Wage
$36.79
Per Hour
Average Salary
$74,113.00
Per Year
Average Hours
39.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.9
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 6411 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $16.00 $40.87 $25.41 $23.08
Overall $19.00 $57.07 $36.79 $33.88
Top $21.79 $96.15 $52.07 $43.83

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Agriculture
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Accommodation & Food Services
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
37%
37%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
27%
27%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
4%
4%
Vacancy Rate
1%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 21, 2023

Auctioneers’ Association of Alberta website: www.abauctioneer.ca

Service Alberta website’s auctions tipsheet: open.alberta.ca/publications/auctions-buying-and-selling

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 21, 2023. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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