Auctioneer

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Work Tasks

• Auction off and sell items to the highest bidders
• Arrange items on tables to show before the sale
• Talk about each item before bidding on it begins
• Try to get the most money for each item
• Work in tents, warehouses, markets, hotel banquet rooms, and lawns of houses holding private auctions
• Work with contracts, microphones, computers, and sheets which list the seller, buyer, and price received

Salary, Size & Growth

• $51,500 average per year ($24.75 per hour)
• A very large occupation (1,172,100 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow slowly (0.5% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma
• Employers Prefer: A 2-year degree or higher and knowledge of a field such as real estate or antiques
• Skills/Courses: Most auctioneers attend auction school to learn more about the industry and to develop bid-calling skills.
• Certification/Licensing: A license and/or being bonded may be required.