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Display Designer, Merchandise Presentation Specialist, Visual Presentation Specialist
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
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Most visual merchandisers work for large department stores and retail chains. Their responsibilities and position titles vary from one employer to another. In general, they:
They also may:
Visual merchandisers must become intimately aware of the store’s layout. Frequent shifts of large quantities of merchandise require merchandisers to solve problems and anticipate customers’ needs.
Some organizations have two levels of visual merchandising. One takes charge of the overall look and colour flow of displays. The other maintains window and other displays from day to day.
Visual merchandisers usually plan displays two to four weeks before they’re needed. This allows them to prepare for the arrival of new merchandise and coordinate displays with special promotions and advertising campaigns. Large companies or chains most often provide signage and prop packages for merchandisers who work exclusively for them. Specific products may be chosen for displays that will be created according to tight guidelines. This ensures the uniformity of store presentations throughout the company.
Freelance merchandisers who work for smaller chains and independent stores may work with fewer or less stringent guidelines. Some do everything from building props to producing signage with computers.
Visual merchandisers ensure stores present a strong corporate image that appeals to their target market. Due to constant changes in the retail and fashion market, they must work under tight deadlines. Sometimes merchandising is done outside of business operating hours, such as early morning or late evening. Peak seasons vary depending on the store’s target audience. For example, back-to-school season may be busy for a children’s store. A jewellery or lingerie store may be busier leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Lifting heavier items, using assembly tools, and climbing ladders routinely is required.
Some visual merchandisers travel from store to store, either as employees of retail chains or as freelancers.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Visual merchandisers
2023 OaSIS: 64100.02
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Visual merchandisers need:
They should enjoy synthesizing information to develop new ideas and find practical solutions to problems. They should like taking a methodical approach to precision tasks. They should be comfortable directing the work of 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.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 63 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Feb 02, 2022 and Nov 03, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 28 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 24 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 23 |
| Tasks: Theatre designers design and create settings, scenic environments, properties, costumes and lighting for theatre, film and video productions, operas and ballets | 23 |
| Tasks: Exhibit designers plan and develop permanent and temporary or moveable exhibits and displays for museum exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, retail spaces and other exhibitions | 22 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 21 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 18 |
| Tasks: Prepare reports on sales volumes, merchandising and personnel matters | 18 |
| Tasks: Organize and maintain inventory | 18 |
| Tasks: Supervise and co-ordinate activities of workers | 18 |
Visual merchandisers may be taught the knowledge and skills they need by:
Most employers prefer to hire applicants with related post-secondary education.
Art and design programs are offered by post-secondary schools throughout Alberta.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
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.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Visual merchandisers work for:
Experienced merchandisers who work for large retail stores may advance to senior designer positions. Further advancement opportunities are limited.
Most self-employed display designers establish themselves in the profession before trying to freelance.
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.
Theatre, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers
2016 NOC: 5243
81.9% 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.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation 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.
Source: 2024-2026 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.
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:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
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.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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 to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $24.81 | $17.06 | $15.00 |
| Overall | $15.12 | $42.42 | $21.60 | $17.42 |
| Top | $15.50 | $68.16 | $28.27 | $20.19 |
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
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $35,919 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $60,628 |
| Manufacturing | $45,408 |
| Wholesale Trade | $76,608 |
| Retail Trade | $33,191 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $27,146 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $44,334 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $22,933 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $43,253 |
Updated Mar 27, 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.
