Prevailing Wage for Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
The prevailing wage for Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers under SOC 27-1026 is set by the DOL across four experience levels, from entry-level Decorator roles to senior Display Specialist positions. Whether your title reads Display Associate or In-Store Marketing Associate, the floor your employer must meet depends on your experience level and the specific city where you'll work.
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Level 1 covers entry-level display staff with limited experience, typically performing routine tasks under close supervision. Workers at this level follow established procedures for arranging merchandise and window installations with minimal independent judgment required.
Level 2 is the most common filing level for Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers. It applies to qualified workers who complete assigned display projects with general supervision, applying practical knowledge of visual merchandising standards and retail presentation techniques.
Level 3 applies to experienced display professionals who work independently, handle complex or large-scale installations, and may coordinate with store managers or marketing teams. These workers adapt display concepts to varied retail environments with minimal oversight.
Level 4 covers fully competent senior displayers or lead window trimmers who plan and direct display programs, mentor junior staff, and set visual standards across multiple locations or departments. This level reflects recognized expertise and broad occupational responsibility.
Prevailing Wage for Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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Watch for title aliasing on LCA filings
Retail employers sometimes file LCAs under SOC 41-2031 (Retail Salespersons) or 27-1021 (Commercial and Industrial Designers) for display roles. Confirm your offer letter title maps to SOC 27-1026 so the correct prevailing wage floor applies to your position.
Verify your worksite city before comparing wages
Display Specialist and Decorator roles in San Francisco carry a significantly higher prevailing wage floor than identical titles in Albany or Valdosta. The LCA must list the actual retail location where you work, not corporate headquarters, so the metro wage determines your floor.
Account for level jumps when switching from agency to in-house
Merchandise displayers moving from a visual merchandising agency to an in-house retail brand often land at Level 3 rather than Level 2, because in-house roles carry independent project ownership. Confirm which level your new employer intends to file before accepting an offer.
Find sponsors with Migrate Mate before applying
Migrate Mate shows which employers have historically sponsored Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers for H-1B or green card, so you can target retailers and display agencies with a track record rather than discovering sponsorship gaps after interviews.
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Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 27-1026.00 alongside Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Decorator Prevailing Wage
Decorator Prevailing Wage
Decorator positions fall under SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Display Associate Prevailing Wage
Display Associate Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Display Associate for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Display Decorator Prevailing Wage
Display Decorator Prevailing Wage
Display Decorator is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Display Specialist Prevailing Wage
Display Specialist Prevailing Wage
Display Specialist positions fall under SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
In-Store Marketing Associate Prevailing Wage
In-Store Marketing Associate Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a In-Store Marketing Associate for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Merchandiser Prevailing Wage
Merchandiser Prevailing Wage
Merchandiser is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Visual Merchandiser (VM) Prevailing Wage
Visual Merchandiser (VM) Prevailing Wage
Visual Merchandiser (VM) positions fall under SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Visual Merchandising Specialist Prevailing Wage
Visual Merchandising Specialist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Visual Merchandising Specialist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 27-1026.00 (Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the DOL set the prevailing wage for Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers?
DOL sets the prevailing wage using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For SOC 27-1026, the agency calculates four wage levels based on experience and responsibility benchmarks. Employers filing an LCA through OFLC must pay at least the wage corresponding to the level they assign the sponsored worker.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
Level 1 is entry-level with close supervision; Level 2 is a qualified worker handling routine display projects independently; Level 3 covers experienced professionals managing complex or multi-location installations; Level 4 reflects fully competent senior or lead roles setting visual standards across an organization. Your level should match the actual duties and supervision structure described in your job offer, not just your years of experience alone.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same display role differ so much by city?
DOL calculates wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the floor reflects local labor market conditions. The LCA must list the worksite where you physically perform the work, not a corporate address, meaning a Display Associate hired in San Francisco has a much higher wage floor than one in Valdosta. OFLC applies the wage for the specific metropolitan statistical area on the certified LCA.
What happens if a sponsored job offer is below the prevailing wage floor?
An employer cannot file a certified LCA with DOL or submit an H-1B or PERM petition with USCIS unless the offered wage meets or exceeds the applicable prevailing wage. If the offered salary falls short, the employer must either raise it to the floor before filing or risk LCA denial. A deficient wage can also trigger a DOL audit or back-pay liability if discovered after certification.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a Merchandise Displayer role in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 27-1026 in any metropolitan statistical area. Enter the occupation code and select the metro that matches your actual worksite. You can also cross-reference O*NET for occupational context. Migrate Mate can help you identify which employers in a given city have an active H-1B or green card sponsorship history for this role.
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