Online Merchants
Conduct 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.
Also called: E-Commerce Account Manager, E-Commerce Administrator, E-Commerce Analyst, E-Commerce Assistant, E-Commerce Associate, E-Commerce Business Analyst
Median pay
$83,050
Pay for the broader BLS group “Business Operations Specialists, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$47,880 – $150,010
People employed
1,087,090
Whole BLS group
Holland code
CER
Conventional · Enterprising · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Online Merchants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Business Operations Specialists, All Other”.
What online merchants do
- 01Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
- 02Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
- 03Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
- 04Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
- 05Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.
- 06Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- English Language
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Communications and Media
- Administration and Management
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from online merchants
- Sales Managers89% · —
- Marketing Managers88% · —
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents88% · —
- Advertising Sales Agents85% · —
- Purchasing Managers85% · —
Change into online merchants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents81% · $78,660
- Loan Officers78% · $76,690
- Advertising Sales Agents77% · $64,820
- Insurance Underwriters77% · $81,370
- Accountants and Auditors76% · $83,680
Majors that lead here
- Business Administration and Management, General
- E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce
- Business Operations Support and Secretarial Services, Other
- Hotel/Motel Administration/Management
- International Business/Trade/Commerce
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.